Today is the 1st of March and according to the meteorological calendar marks the beginning of Spring . As I sit here and write, the sky is grey and damp and unwelcoming, however there are daffodils and snowdrops flowering in the garden, determined to bring some brightness to the day and suggest that a change in season really is here. According to the astrological calendar Spring doesn't start until 20th March so either way the month of March is associated with a new season and for many of us the start of brighter and happier feelings.
Spring generally conjures up images of tulips and daffodils, wonderful colours; reds, yellows, greens and whites, new life pushing its way through the earth as plants that have laid dormant through the winter start to wake up. Lambs jumping in fields, warmer and longer days, more sunlight and a feeling of wellbeing as we start to forget about the cold Winter months and the dark days. At the end of the month of March the clocks change and the days become even longer allowing us more time to spend outside in and around nature which has been proven time and again to increase feelings of positive emotional and mental health.
It is hard to believe and understand then that some people will find the change in seasons, from colder and darker days and nights to warmer and brighter days with longer evenings, a real struggle. This can be due to the effect of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which most people associate with the change from summer to winter, however some people will experience symptoms during the warmer months and those symptoms can begin to appear as early as Spring. The symptoms may include low mood, a lack of interest in activities, feeling sleepy, a lack of concentration and feelings of irritability and low self worth. So if you notice any of these in yourself it may be worth checking in with either your GP or a therapist who can help to alleviate the symptoms.
Hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis has been shown to be an effective way of reducing symptoms of SAD and is a way to increase feelings of relaxation, confidence and self worth.