Spring Awakening: 5 Ways To Feel The Psychological Effects Of Spring

Did you wake up feeling differently this morning, or expecting to feel differently?

If you haven’t already heard, today holds an occurrence described by many people as the most powerful day of the year. Not only is it the first day of spring, today also marks an extremely rare Vernal Equinox Supermoon Solar Eclipse. (Say that five times fast.)

For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, let me break it down for you: The moon is at its closest point to the Earth, at only about 222,192 miles away.

During its orbit, it will completely block out all of the sun’s light in select parts of the Northern Hemisphere, casting a shadow as long as 90 miles for close to two minutes. This is all occurring on our Vernal Equinox, better known as the ever-anticipated first day of spring.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Enough about science, how does this affect me?

Well, it’s said these astronomical changes could have a psychological impact, as well. Perhaps you hopped out of bed this morning without checking Facebook for the first time in weeks. Or, maybe you left for work early enough to stop at your favorite coffee shop on the way in.

While there’s a good chance of coincidence here, or this is due to the fact that it’s Friday, some are arguing for cosmic influence. And, I guess you can’t blame them; our good friend, Luna, is pulling some crazy stunts on us today.

For centuries, we’ve accused lunar rhythms for affecting human behaviors. Couldn’t sleep? Must be the moon. Feeling out of sync? Must be the moon. Dealing with a lunatic at work? Goddamn it, moon!

But, for once, the moon is attributed to a good psychological change: a shift in our energy. And, whether you woke up feeling differently or expecting to feel differently, it worked.

Sometimes, the placebo effect is just as powerful as the actual medicine.

Now, for all you sad souls who experienced neither change this morning, I’m sorry, which is why I’ve written this article to help you join the shift.

Here are a few steps you can take in the upcoming weeks to amplify the effects of today’s Vernal Equinox Supermoon Solar Eclipse.

Make spring resolutions

The Vernal Equinox is celebrated as a time of rebirth. Like all the plants and animals, we, too, can flourish after being driven away by harsh winter conditions. (Let’s be honest: Most of us have been hibernating, too.)

This might be a good time to reflect upon your New Year’s Resolutions and realize you haven’t accomplished a single one yet. Don’t worry; no one has.

I often wonder why we make goals in the middle of the coldest, darkest, most depressing seasons of the year, as if we’re going to wake up on January 1, excited to start exercising in 4 feet of snow. It’s just not practical.

So, let’s begin again, this time with the help of more sunlight and warmer days.

Go outside on the first beautiful day of the year

If only for a few minutes, make a point to appreciate the seasonal changes. Soak up the Vitamin D you’ve lived without all winter. Listen to the celebratory birds. Appreciate these new sounds.

You’ve been cooped up for too long; don’t take the first nice day for granted. Sure, there will be plenty of sunny days to come, but that mentality will have you missing opportunities all year.

There is no better time than the present. Remember that every time you get the chance to feel alive.

Simplify your life

Donate those old clothes you’ve been meaning to give away. Clean out the trunk of your car; organize that messy closet you look at every day.

Small changes to your physical environment can greatly improve your mental space. Discard those thoughts of anxiety or regret; they serve no purpose. They are only stunting your emotional growth.

If you allow yourself a new beginning, a chance to start over, you will open up a whole door of opportunity. Reach into your pocket. Feel the key?

Understand your role

We often feel small and unimportant in the grand scheme of things, but imagine if we all felt just the opposite. Imagine how much impact we would have if we all shared the same willingness to change.

It’s important to believe in something larger than yourself. Find a cause this spring.

It could be as simple as boycotting plastic bags. Learn about it and teach what you learned to friends. Those friends might just listen and teach other friends, and together, you could start a small movement of paper over plastic.

You could save a sea turtle this year.

Be open

The only way to change, or to be susceptible to change, is to be open for it. Try looking at situations through new eyes. Stop doubting your ability to evolve and stop holding back other people from evolving.

Every day is a new day, and we’re all just doing our best.

Remarkable things could happen; we simply have to wake up for them, not just physically but emotionally, as well. If you can do these things with an open mind, you will start to feel a new energy inside yourself.

Now go spread the good vibes.