春天是萬(wàn)物復(fù)蘇、生機(jī)勃勃的時(shí)節(jié)。在春天,鳥鳴聲不絕于耳,陽(yáng)光照射的時(shí)間延長(zhǎng)了,氣溫也變得更加舒適宜人。但是,為什么盡管我們等待了數(shù)月,卻仍然不覺得“稱心如意”呢?
現(xiàn)實(shí)情況是這樣的:無(wú)論是從天氣角度,還是我們的內(nèi)心角度來(lái)看,春天都意味著變化,而變化是令人惴惴不安的,尤其是當(dāng)我們還沒有為冬春交替時(shí)節(jié)的劇烈變化做好準(zhǔn)備時(shí)。
精神病學(xué)家約翰·夏普博士說(shuō):“春天萬(wàn)物復(fù)蘇,但開局并不喜人。”
夏普撰寫了《情緒日歷:了解季節(jié)的影響和里程碑,讓你變得更快樂、更充實(shí),并駕馭生活》(The Emotional Calendar: Understanding Seasonal Influences and Milestones to Become Happier, More Fulfilled, and in Control of Your Life)一書,他表示每個(gè)季節(jié)都分為三個(gè)階段:孟春、仲春、季春,以此類推。孟春、孟夏、孟秋、孟冬時(shí)期的天氣通常最難以預(yù)測(cè),在心理上尤其難以忍受。
夏普告訴《財(cái)富》雜志:“在孟春時(shí)節(jié),大腦中血清素的轉(zhuǎn)換增加,新陳代謝也會(huì)加快。但我們還沒有完全做好準(zhǔn)備,所以會(huì)有一種焦躁不安的感覺,覺得有些事情必須改變。”
夏普指出,這就是為什么春天可能會(huì)讓人覺得是最終尋求解決拖延已久的問題的時(shí)機(jī),例如想要結(jié)束一段關(guān)系、搬家或辭職。
他說(shuō):“‘我必須做出些許改變’的感覺非?;靵y,很難應(yīng)對(duì)。但這種感覺終究會(huì)成為過(guò)去時(shí)?!?/p>
但不要將這種躁動(dòng)不安、怪異的內(nèi)心感受視為全部;春天依舊是萬(wàn)物復(fù)蘇的季節(jié),只要你愿意,你也可以煥發(fā)生機(jī)。夏普分享了一些建議,以減輕每年春天經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)的變化帶來(lái)的令人難以承受的不適感。
避免做出沖動(dòng)的決定
很多人都想在春天理發(fā),或者是添加一套新衣服。雖然這些決定有時(shí)是一時(shí)沖動(dòng),但通常是無(wú)功無(wú)過(guò)的。但夏普警告道,不要做出影響深遠(yuǎn)的沖動(dòng)決定,比如舉家搬遷。要意識(shí)到自己正在經(jīng)歷的感受,但盡量不要立即采取行動(dòng)。
他說(shuō):“不要反應(yīng)過(guò)度,也不要沖動(dòng)地得出結(jié)論。如果你確實(shí)需要做某件事情,你可以稍后再做,那時(shí)你更能發(fā)揮干勁。”
試著告訴自己,如果確實(shí)需要做出改變來(lái)改善情緒和整體生活體驗(yàn),從長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)來(lái)看,調(diào)整一下再出發(fā)并不會(huì)帶來(lái)問題。
多做適合自己的事情
你不必因?yàn)榇禾焯鞖馇绾?,?dòng)力十足,就一定要養(yǎng)成新習(xí)慣或培養(yǎng)新愛好。
夏普說(shuō):“如果你不喜歡瑜伽,就不必開始練瑜伽。如果你平時(shí)不去健身房健身,也不必開始去健身房鍛煉。”
“但是要做任何適合自己的事情,甚至能夠多做一點(diǎn)。利用熟悉的力量安撫自己,一切都會(huì)好起來(lái)的,問題也會(huì)迎刃而解?!?/p>
堅(jiān)持遵循日常慣例,無(wú)論這樣的慣例多么簡(jiǎn)單,都能夠極大地影響心理健康狀態(tài),原因是這樣做可以降低壓力水平,改善睡眠。
擁抱隨性而為的態(tài)度
也許這看起來(lái)很傻,但擁抱新季節(jié)及其奇特之處實(shí)際上會(huì)對(duì)你的季節(jié)變化觀產(chǎn)生積極影響。如果你對(duì)早春變幻莫測(cè)的天氣持消極態(tài)度,那么你可能就會(huì)比每天保持開放的心態(tài)接受新鮮事物的人更難適應(yīng)。
夏普說(shuō):“無(wú)論你是否喜歡這種變化無(wú)常的天氣,它都能夠塑造你的個(gè)性?!?/p>
“你可以接受即興的計(jì)劃嗎?如果你更擅長(zhǎng)隨性而為,春天可能對(duì)你就更有吸引力。”
先別收起冬裝
氣溫開始回升的那一刻,似乎是把蟄伏的春裝拿出來(lái)的最佳時(shí)機(jī),但如若它們需要很快重返冬眠狀態(tài),也不要感到驚訝。
夏普說(shuō):“拿出春裝,但當(dāng)天氣再次變冷時(shí),也不要感到生氣。”
這就好比孟春時(shí)節(jié),盡管天氣還沒有完全轉(zhuǎn)好,水仙花等迎春花卻已經(jīng)悄然綻放。雖然它們是春天到來(lái)的預(yù)兆,但當(dāng)我們醒來(lái)時(shí)發(fā)現(xiàn)霜凍,迎春花的綻放可能會(huì)讓我們感到困惑。
也許我們以為只要收起冬衣,穿上涼鞋,就能夠迎接溫暖的天氣,但準(zhǔn)備好還不能穿上身的衣服,反而會(huì)讓人更加失望。此外,它還會(huì)為春季大掃除添加幾分雜亂。
與其將這些衣服都搬到衣櫥或梳妝臺(tái)里,還不如拿出幾件過(guò)渡性的單品,讓自己煥發(fā)春天的氣息。
走出戶外
當(dāng)你情緒低落時(shí),你最不想做的事情就是起床。但戶外活動(dòng)確實(shí)可以改善心理健康狀態(tài)。即使在戶外待上五分鐘,也能夠改變你的想法。
夏普表示,雖然初春時(shí)節(jié)的天氣并不穩(wěn)定,但即便在天氣不好的時(shí)候到戶外活動(dòng),也可以改善心態(tài),這與上述情況類似。即使你需要把這一刻營(yíng)造得更為浪漫。
“如果天氣很冷,想一想這樣的場(chǎng)景帶給你的感覺:當(dāng)你回到家,暖暖身子,給自己泡上一杯好茶,用熱杯子捂手,甚至點(diǎn)上一支蠟燭。哇,你會(huì)感到非常幸福?!?/p>
在缺乏動(dòng)力的時(shí)候,做一些強(qiáng)迫自己離開家的事情,比如遛狗或買雜貨,這都是很好的選擇。
但如果你似乎無(wú)法擺脫持續(xù)的乏味感,那么它就可能根植于更嚴(yán)重的問題,而不僅僅是變化帶來(lái)的不安感。
季節(jié)性抑郁癥或季節(jié)性情感障礙(SAD)也會(huì)在每年的這個(gè)時(shí)候發(fā)生。這是一種持續(xù)的悲傷情緒,通常與陰暗、寒冷的冬日有關(guān),讓一些人驚訝的是,它會(huì)一直持續(xù)到春天。實(shí)際上,研究還表明,精神疾病和情緒障礙患者的癥狀往往在春季變得更加明顯,甚至加重。
這在一定程度上是由于我們接觸到的光照量發(fā)生了變化,從而影響了晝夜節(jié)律,所以即使光照量增加似乎是治療季節(jié)性抑郁癥的萬(wàn)靈藥,但它也會(huì)造成失衡感,讓人感到難以承受或筋疲力盡。
在春天或任何季節(jié)感到悲傷或沮喪都是正常的,這不一定是在敲響警鐘。就像其他醫(yī)療問題一樣,心理健康問題也不應(yīng)該被掩蓋。如果你已經(jīng)嘗試了這些方法中任何一種或幾種,但仍舊無(wú)法擺脫持續(xù)的悲傷情緒,那么可能是時(shí)候去問診了。
夏普說(shuō):“最糟糕的事情是感到孤立無(wú)援。對(duì)大多數(shù)人來(lái)說(shuō),情況都會(huì)好轉(zhuǎn),但如果你覺得自己的情況不是這樣,那就尋求幫助吧。”(財(cái)富中文網(wǎng))
譯者:中慧言-王芳
春天是萬(wàn)物復(fù)蘇、生機(jī)勃勃的時(shí)節(jié)。在春天,鳥鳴聲不絕于耳,陽(yáng)光照射的時(shí)間延長(zhǎng)了,氣溫也變得更加舒適宜人。但是,為什么盡管我們等待了數(shù)月,卻仍然不覺得“稱心如意”呢?
現(xiàn)實(shí)情況是這樣的:無(wú)論是從天氣角度,還是我們的內(nèi)心角度來(lái)看,春天都意味著變化,而變化是令人惴惴不安的,尤其是當(dāng)我們還沒有為冬春交替時(shí)節(jié)的劇烈變化做好準(zhǔn)備時(shí)。
精神病學(xué)家約翰·夏普博士說(shuō):“春天萬(wàn)物復(fù)蘇,但開局并不喜人。”
夏普撰寫了《情緒日歷:了解季節(jié)的影響和里程碑,讓你變得更快樂、更充實(shí),并駕馭生活》(The Emotional Calendar: Understanding Seasonal Influences and Milestones to Become Happier, More Fulfilled, and in Control of Your Life)一書,他表示每個(gè)季節(jié)都分為三個(gè)階段:孟春、仲春、季春,以此類推。孟春、孟夏、孟秋、孟冬時(shí)期的天氣通常最難以預(yù)測(cè),在心理上尤其難以忍受。
夏普告訴《財(cái)富》雜志:“在孟春時(shí)節(jié),大腦中血清素的轉(zhuǎn)換增加,新陳代謝也會(huì)加快。但我們還沒有完全做好準(zhǔn)備,所以會(huì)有一種焦躁不安的感覺,覺得有些事情必須改變。”
夏普指出,這就是為什么春天可能會(huì)讓人覺得是最終尋求解決拖延已久的問題的時(shí)機(jī),例如想要結(jié)束一段關(guān)系、搬家或辭職。
他說(shuō):“‘我必須做出些許改變’的感覺非?;靵y,很難應(yīng)對(duì)。但這種感覺終究會(huì)成為過(guò)去時(shí)?!?/p>
但不要將這種躁動(dòng)不安、怪異的內(nèi)心感受視為全部;春天依舊是萬(wàn)物復(fù)蘇的季節(jié),只要你愿意,你也可以煥發(fā)生機(jī)。夏普分享了一些建議,以減輕每年春天經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)的變化帶來(lái)的令人難以承受的不適感。
避免做出沖動(dòng)的決定
很多人都想在春天理發(fā),或者是添加一套新衣服。雖然這些決定有時(shí)是一時(shí)沖動(dòng),但通常是無(wú)功無(wú)過(guò)的。但夏普警告道,不要做出影響深遠(yuǎn)的沖動(dòng)決定,比如舉家搬遷。要意識(shí)到自己正在經(jīng)歷的感受,但盡量不要立即采取行動(dòng)。
他說(shuō):“不要反應(yīng)過(guò)度,也不要沖動(dòng)地得出結(jié)論。如果你確實(shí)需要做某件事情,你可以稍后再做,那時(shí)你更能發(fā)揮干勁?!?/p>
試著告訴自己,如果確實(shí)需要做出改變來(lái)改善情緒和整體生活體驗(yàn),從長(zhǎng)遠(yuǎn)來(lái)看,調(diào)整一下再出發(fā)并不會(huì)帶來(lái)問題。
多做適合自己的事情
你不必因?yàn)榇禾焯鞖馇绾?,?dòng)力十足,就一定要養(yǎng)成新習(xí)慣或培養(yǎng)新愛好。
夏普說(shuō):“如果你不喜歡瑜伽,就不必開始練瑜伽。如果你平時(shí)不去健身房健身,也不必開始去健身房鍛煉?!?/p>
“但是要做任何適合自己的事情,甚至能夠多做一點(diǎn)。利用熟悉的力量安撫自己,一切都會(huì)好起來(lái)的,問題也會(huì)迎刃而解。”
堅(jiān)持遵循日常慣例,無(wú)論這樣的慣例多么簡(jiǎn)單,都能夠極大地影響心理健康狀態(tài),原因是這樣做可以降低壓力水平,改善睡眠。
擁抱隨性而為的態(tài)度
也許這看起來(lái)很傻,但擁抱新季節(jié)及其奇特之處實(shí)際上會(huì)對(duì)你的季節(jié)變化觀產(chǎn)生積極影響。如果你對(duì)早春變幻莫測(cè)的天氣持消極態(tài)度,那么你可能就會(huì)比每天保持開放的心態(tài)接受新鮮事物的人更難適應(yīng)。
夏普說(shuō):“無(wú)論你是否喜歡這種變化無(wú)常的天氣,它都能夠塑造你的個(gè)性?!?/p>
“你可以接受即興的計(jì)劃嗎?如果你更擅長(zhǎng)隨性而為,春天可能對(duì)你就更有吸引力?!?/p>
先別收起冬裝
氣溫開始回升的那一刻,似乎是把蟄伏的春裝拿出來(lái)的最佳時(shí)機(jī),但如若它們需要很快重返冬眠狀態(tài),也不要感到驚訝。
夏普說(shuō):“拿出春裝,但當(dāng)天氣再次變冷時(shí),也不要感到生氣?!?/p>
這就好比孟春時(shí)節(jié),盡管天氣還沒有完全轉(zhuǎn)好,水仙花等迎春花卻已經(jīng)悄然綻放。雖然它們是春天到來(lái)的預(yù)兆,但當(dāng)我們醒來(lái)時(shí)發(fā)現(xiàn)霜凍,迎春花的綻放可能會(huì)讓我們感到困惑。
也許我們以為只要收起冬衣,穿上涼鞋,就能夠迎接溫暖的天氣,但準(zhǔn)備好還不能穿上身的衣服,反而會(huì)讓人更加失望。此外,它還會(huì)為春季大掃除添加幾分雜亂。
與其將這些衣服都搬到衣櫥或梳妝臺(tái)里,還不如拿出幾件過(guò)渡性的單品,讓自己煥發(fā)春天的氣息。
走出戶外
當(dāng)你情緒低落時(shí),你最不想做的事情就是起床。但戶外活動(dòng)確實(shí)可以改善心理健康狀態(tài)。即使在戶外待上五分鐘,也能夠改變你的想法。
夏普表示,雖然初春時(shí)節(jié)的天氣并不穩(wěn)定,但即便在天氣不好的時(shí)候到戶外活動(dòng),也可以改善心態(tài),這與上述情況類似。即使你需要把這一刻營(yíng)造得更為浪漫。
“如果天氣很冷,想一想這樣的場(chǎng)景帶給你的感覺:當(dāng)你回到家,暖暖身子,給自己泡上一杯好茶,用熱杯子捂手,甚至點(diǎn)上一支蠟燭。哇,你會(huì)感到非常幸福。”
在缺乏動(dòng)力的時(shí)候,做一些強(qiáng)迫自己離開家的事情,比如遛狗或買雜貨,這都是很好的選擇。
但如果你似乎無(wú)法擺脫持續(xù)的乏味感,那么它就可能根植于更嚴(yán)重的問題,而不僅僅是變化帶來(lái)的不安感。
季節(jié)性抑郁癥或季節(jié)性情感障礙(SAD)也會(huì)在每年的這個(gè)時(shí)候發(fā)生。這是一種持續(xù)的悲傷情緒,通常與陰暗、寒冷的冬日有關(guān),讓一些人驚訝的是,它會(huì)一直持續(xù)到春天。實(shí)際上,研究還表明,精神疾病和情緒障礙患者的癥狀往往在春季變得更加明顯,甚至加重。
這在一定程度上是由于我們接觸到的光照量發(fā)生了變化,從而影響了晝夜節(jié)律,所以即使光照量增加似乎是治療季節(jié)性抑郁癥的萬(wàn)靈藥,但它也會(huì)造成失衡感,讓人感到難以承受或筋疲力盡。
在春天或任何季節(jié)感到悲傷或沮喪都是正常的,這不一定是在敲響警鐘。就像其他醫(yī)療問題一樣,心理健康問題也不應(yīng)該被掩蓋。如果你已經(jīng)嘗試了這些方法中任何一種或幾種,但仍舊無(wú)法擺脫持續(xù)的悲傷情緒,那么可能是時(shí)候去問診了。
夏普說(shuō):“最糟糕的事情是感到孤立無(wú)援。對(duì)大多數(shù)人來(lái)說(shuō),情況都會(huì)好轉(zhuǎn),但如果你覺得自己的情況不是這樣,那就尋求幫助吧?!保ㄘ?cái)富中文網(wǎng))
譯者:中慧言-王芳
Spring is a time of renewal and growth. It’s when the birds chirp more, the sun shines longer, and temperatures feel much more bearable. But why is it that despite all these things we’ve waited months for, we still don’t feel 100% “right”?
Here’s the reality: Spring means change—whether it’s in the weather or within us—and change is uncomfortable. Especially when we aren’t prepared for the jarring adjustment between winter and spring.
“Spring gets good, but it doesn’t start good,” says psychiatrist Dr. John Sharp.
Sharp, who wrote the book The Emotional Calendar: Understanding Seasonal Influences and Milestones to Become Happier, More Fulfilled, and in Control of Your Life, says each season has three parts: early, full, and waning. The early part—when the weather is typically the most unpredictable—can be particularly hard mentally.
“In early spring, there’s an increased turnover of serotonin in the brain, and our metabolism kind of gears up. But we’re not fully ready for it yet, so we get this restless feeling like something has to change,” Sharp tells Fortune.
This is why spring may feel like a time for finally pursuing delayed resolutions, like feeling the desire to get out of a relationship, to move, or to quit your job, Sharp says.
“The ‘I have to change something’ feeling is very disorganizing and difficult to handle,” he says. “But it passes.”
But don’t consider this restless, weird inner feeling the be-all and end-all; spring is still the time of year when things bloom, and you can, too—if you want to. Sharp shares his suggestions to limit the overwhelming discomfort of change that often comes up this time of year.
Avoid impulsive decisions
Many people feel the desire to chop their hair in the spring, or to get a fresh wardrobe. Though these decisions are sometimes impulsive, they are usually harmless. But Sharp warns against more impactful impulsive decisions, like uprooting your family. Be aware of the feelings you’re experiencing, but try not to act immediately on them.
“Don’t overreact or try to reach some conclusion impulsively,” he says. “If it’s something you really need to do, you’ll be able to do it later when your energy can be better put to use.”
Try telling yourself that if a change truly needs to happen to improve your mood and overall life experience, taking a beat to do so won’t be a problem in the long run.
Do more of what works for you
You don’t have to take on a new habit or hobby in the spring just because the weather is nicer and there might be more of a push to.
“If you’re not into yoga, you don’t have to start yoga. If you don’t go to the gym, you don’t have to start going to the gym,” Sharp says.
“But do whatever works for you, and maybe even do it a little more. Use the power of the familiar to try and assure yourself that this is going to be okay, that you’re going to figure this out.”
Sticking to a routine, no matter how simple, can greatly impact mental health, as it can lower stress levels and improve sleep.
Welcome spontaneity
It may seem silly, but welcoming a new season and its quirks can actually positively impact your outlook on the changing seasons. If you look at the unpredictable early spring weather negatively, you’ll likely have a harder time than if you keep your mind open to the idea of newness every day.
“It can characterize you as a person, whether or not you like the inconsistency,” Sharp says.
“Are you cool with an unscripted plan? If you’re better with spontaneity, spring might be more appealing to you.”
Don’t put away your winter wardrobe just yet
The moment temperatures begin to rise seems like the perfect time to take your warmer-weather clothes out of hibernation, but don’t be surprised if they need to return there just as quickly.
“Get out your spring clothes, but don’t be mad at them when it gets cold again,” says Sharp.
This is similar to when spring flowers, like daffodils, pop up early spring despite the weather not being fully nice yet. Though they are a harbinger of spring, their presence can be confusing when we’re still waking up to frost.
Perhaps we think we can manifest the warm weather by putting away our winter coats and grabbing out the sandals, but having clothes at the ready that you just can’t wear yet could actually lead to more disappointment. Plus, it’s added clutter for your spring cleaning.
Instead of migrating it all to your closet or dresser, maybe grab out a couple of transitional pieces to get you in the spirit of spring.
Get outside
When you’re feeling down, the last thing you may want to do is leave your bed. But it’s true that being outside improves your mental health. Even spending five minutes outdoors changes your vantage point.
Though the early part of spring brings inconsistent weather, Sharp says, even being outside when the weather is unfavorable can improve the way we feel, much like the previous point. Even if you have to romanticize the moment.
“If the weather is cold, think of how you’d feel when you come back and get warmed up and make yourself a nice cup of tea, put your hands on the outside of the hot mug, and maybe even light a candle? Boy, you’d feel so happy.”
Having to do something that forces you to leave the house, like walking your dog or getting groceries, is also great when the motivation just isn’t there.
But if you can’t seem to shake a persistent blah feeling, it might be rooted in something more serious than just uneasy feelings about change.
Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), happens this time of year too. It’s a persistent feeling of sadness typically associated with dark, cold winter days, making its continued presence into the spring surprising for some. Studies actually also show that symptoms for people with mental illness and mood disorders often become more apparent and worsen during the spring season.
This is partly due to changes in the amount of light we’re exposed to, which impacts our circadian rhythm, so even though more sunlight seems to be a surefire cure to seasonal depression, it creates an imbalance that can feel overwhelming or exhausting.
Feeling sad or off in the spring—or any season—is normal and not necessarily something that should shoot off warning bells. But like any other medical concern, mental health issues shouldn’t be pushed under the rug. If you’ve tried any or a combination of these tips and you can’t shake a constant sadness, it may be time to talk to a doctor.
“The worst thing is when somebody feels isolated and alone. Things will get better for most people, but if you don’t feel like that’s you, reach out for help,” says Sharp.