April Showers Bring Allergies and Mood Changes?

AllMindsFull Newsletter- April 2024

Today is April 7th, 2024, and also World Health Day. A day dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to quality health services, education, and information. We hope that this article will share light on how our health is affected even by the beautiful flowers that bloom around us. 

Wait, it’s April? Already!? No one panic, April showers bring May flowers, right? Spring is around the corner, the days feel longer again (for some), and the weather is warming up before we jump into summer. For many, this is a time of transition and joy. So why do we see an increase of people at the doctor’s office, mental health services, and hospitals for suicidal attempts and suicide deaths? We’re here to explain that correlation and hopefully alleviate the expectation that spring is all about happiness and flowers. We’d like to bring awareness to how our bodies AND minds can respond to the natural changes throughout the year. Through education, we aim to provide important information that can be used to plan and prepare for the challenges that emerge during this season. 

As kids, springtime means more time outside with friends, activities extending later into the evening, and nearing the end of the school year. Springtime as an adult? Well, it’s a little different. We engage in conversations about how bad the seasonal allergies are, how fast the year is flying by, and how we might be feeling more motivated to go outside or complete tasks on our to-do list. The start of spring doesn’t seem too daunting until we encounter the research on allergies, weather changes, and mood. So whether you have seasonal allergies or not (what kind of magic did you cast to not have allergies?), the goal is to spread clarity on how we can all help each other during this transitional time. 

MindsGrow

Seasonal allergies and mental health are more connected than people may think. Ask anyone with a stuffy nose and itchy eyes. Our bodies become inflamed and attempt to protect us from the dangerous invaders in our environment. According to Adam Kaplin, a psychiatrist from Johns Hopkins, allergies have been linked to cause or worsen depression. Kaplin also believes that allergies aren’t the only factor leading to depression or higher suicide rates in the spring. Many people spend the winter months managing depressive symptoms so when spring comes around, they’re still depressed but with the energy to take their life (Shapiro, 2019). Spring isn’t just about allergies and warmer weather. The first 2-3 months of the year typically allow us to establish our footing and prepare for significant events in the spring such as graduations and weddings. This also signifies that change is coming, which can introduce some discomfort into our daily lives. While most people worry about the dark days of winter, the increasing daylight of spring can also present its challenges. 

MindsUnderstand

Regardless of seasonal allergies, springtime is another shift to our busy and ever-changing lives. It can add stress in ways that may not be immediately apparent and are often overlooked in our conversations. With more sunlight, warmer weather, and time to complete tasks there is an added pressure to perform at a higher level. But what if April, May, and June are still needed to establish a routine? We’re here to say, that is perfectly okay! Every mind and body has its unique needs. The first step in any journey is awareness. This season can serve as an opportunity to observe any obstacles you can prepare for next year.

MindsElevate

So, how can you implement mental health techniques to better equip yourself and others for the upcoming seasons? 

Tip #1: Explore, explore, explore!

Keep an open mind this spring about whether you have specific allergies. If possible, get allergy testing. Keep a log to record how your physical and mental health changes when there is wind, rain, or even a sunny day. In that same log or journal, reflect on how the changes of the seasons affect your daily life. Does it affect your motivation, physical energy, or even social battery? How do these shifts make you feel? For many, transitions can be tough when life is already demanding. So, set aside some time to understand your mind, body, and spirit, to design a personalized plan. 

Tip #2: Make a plan 

A plan can be detailed or flexible, it all depends on what works best for you. The most important part of a plan is to make sure it is well thought out. Start with your intentions for the plan. Examples can be journaling every week to help with mental and emotional health, taking allergy medication to reduce inflammation, or scheduling coffee dates with friends to help feel connected. After deciding the intention of your plan, write out some small steps that are realistic and achievable. Another way to ensure you are practicing a plan is to share with a loved one you feel comfortable sharing with. This allows conversation on how they may help you follow through with the plan or simply support you through it! 

Tip #3: Check in with yourself 

Our last tip is about maintenance. As we’ve covered throughout the April newsletter, spring brings undeniably serious issues. Checking in isn’t just about asking “Am I okay?” but also about what you need to be okay. Oftentimes we focus on the outside world so much that we forget about what our inner world needs and wants from us. A quick daily check-in can make a difference in how we handle this thing called life. 

Here is our reflection question for the month: 

• How has spring affected your life so far? What is one small thing you can do this month to make it more comfortable?