Indoor or Outside?

By Kaitlin McDowell

Edited by Taylor Morgan

This question acts as the first true indicator that spring is upon us. The rays of hope and relief peaking through the cloudy dark months of January and February signal that we are almost out of the woods and entering the warm meadows of spring. 

There is something about the sunshine that truly makes everything better. The birds are louder, the flowers are blooming and the nights are longer.

In November, I wrote about the difficulties associated with the end of Daylight Saving Time and ways to combat the negative feelings associated with colder months.

I come bearing good news: March 8 marked the return of daylight saving time. Despite losing an hour of sleep, it means we have officially reentered the season of later sunsets, also known as spring.

AINA / @ainalinda on Pinterest

With spring also comes the promise of outdoor dining, miniskirts, iced coffee and matcha and seasonal fruits like strawberries. 

The sunny arrival of spring has reminded me that I am actually a person under my thick, puffy winter jacket that vaguely resembles the Michelin Man. There are more foods to enjoy beyond warm soups and there is more to do than hibernating in bed under mounds of blankets, or was that just me all winter? 

The change in clocks has allowed me to return to my favorite hobby: spending time outside.  Whether it be on the patio of my favorite restaurant (bonus points if tacos are present), on the porch of my house or with a friend on a walk, I think everything is better when outdoors. 

Additionally, this sunlight-chasing habit of mine has many other physical and mental benefits beyond the freeing feeling of escaping the colder weather. 

That feeling of happiness and positivity that floods through one’s body as the temperatures reach 60 degrees is not just a facade. Increased sunlight exposure boosts serotonin, which is basically happiness in a hormone. Increased serotonin contributes to better moods and less anxiety. So with higher temperatures come higher spirits. 

Sunshine does not just improve our mood; it also encourages us to move. Our focus and short memory can also be strengthened by daily movement, which is so much more enjoyable in warm, sunny weather. Brighter days encourage more movement, specifically outside. With the sun shining into one’s windows far past 6 p.m., there is more time to go on walks and watch as the sun sets at the glorious hour of 8 p.m. 

So call a friend or listen to a podcast, put on a matching athleisure set and hot girl walk around campus. It’s good for you!

In this new season, our bodies are not the only thing getting active in new ways; the return of sunlight can also help to get one's brain moving. That brain fog or general low energy associated with darker months is not just in your head. With an increase in serotonin from more sunlight, we have more energy and motivation, making tasks that may have felt exhausting during the winter feel easier and maybe even more fun. 

Lastly, it is a widely known fact that sunlight exposure is a great source of Vitamin D. This exposure also assists in the absorption of other beneficial nutrients like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Research shows that even five minutes of sunlight a day can be beneficial to one's health. 

Alongside mood boosting benefits and vitamins, longer and sunnier days make for more ice cream cones enjoyed outside and more time to spend with friends. Two activities that most definitely increase my serotonin levels. Celebrate more daylight, changing seasons on the horizon and warmer weather by indulging in these natural sources of serotonin. 

These later sunsets and brighter days feel like a trailer for the year’s main attraction, summer, and I have front row tickets for the show.