This Monday, March 20, marked the arrival of spring, but it was also the International Day of Happiness. If there is no official link, with the return of sunny days, the lengthening of days or the flowering of plants, the period is generally considered beneficial for health, physical and mental. But what is it really?
return of the sun
First, as winter recedes, it brings with it gray and short days and therefore a lack of light. And this absence of sun has very specific effects on health. In fact, the sun and light are sources of vitamin D, melatonin, serotonin and dopamine.
“The return of light is good for morale. There really are depressions linked to the lack of sun in winter,” Judith Loeb Mansour, Calvados’ general practitioner, told BFMTV.com.
Also, in a week, France will switch to daylight saving time. “The time change also allows a lot of people to leave work with light, which helps,” he continues.
“The happiness of some is the misfortune of others”
However, these longer days can have a backlash. “It can be difficult to put the children to bed, you have to be more attentive to avoid fatigue,” explains the doctor.
Also, if most people feel better at this time, spring can still be a difficult season if, on the contrary, we do not feel very well. “We are going to feel strange and even worse because we see that spring helps everyone except us”, explains Judith Loeb Mansour.
“Here the happiness of some is the misfortune of others,” he explains, encouraging those affected to seek help.
More outings and sports
The lengthening of the days and the rise in temperatures also allow more outings, avoiding the famous metro-work-sleep, and allow more sports activities to be practiced, which is good for physical and mental health.
Be careful, however, not to resume the sport too abruptly. “You have to take it easy,” warns Judith Loeb Mansour, to avoid the risk of injury or heart problems in case of too intense an effort.
Fruits, vegetables and barbecues
During the spring, the diet also changes for many French people. If winter called for richer and more comforting dishes, in spring we consume more fruits and vegetables, especially since they are cheaper on store shelves.
They are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, so they have positive effects on health, especially in the prevention of diseases.
“However, there are false friends, it is much less beneficial if they are eaten with a lot of mayonnaise”, however warns Judith Loeb Mansour.
In addition, as soon as the sunny days arrive, the festive moments made up of aperitifs and barbecues can multiply. “It doesn’t have to be every day,” adds the general practitioner.
Beware of pollen
But spring is not fun for everyone. In fact, some can no longer go outside without sneezing, coughing, or getting itchy eyes from the pollen. According to the Institut Pasteur, 20% of the French population is allergic, to varying degrees.
“The only way to treat pollen allergy long-term is desensitization,” the institute writes. However, beyond that, some reflexes can be adopted such as airing the rooms at the end of the day, washing your hair before going to bed or even wearing sunglasses outdoors.
Source: BFM TV
