

I don't know about you, but ever since the mercury inched above 59 degrees, I've been feeling...unstable. Symptoms: shortened attention span (not that I had any focus before), unbridled-though-still-mostly-fruitless Tindering, loss of appetite, frequent urges to locate the nearest field and tumble through it like Pocahontas in "Colors of the Wind." What's happening to me? WHY AM I TURNING INTO THUMPER?
In the interest of unpacking the science behind #springvibes, here, we break down that mysterious disease like the hard-hitting internet jockeys we are.
The "I haven't properly slept for two weeks but I FEEL SO ALIVE"
To quote The Beatles, "Here comes the sun doo doo doo doo." After a dark and lonely winter, catching some rays can seriously f*ck brighten everything up: Science can't reach an exact consensus (thanks a lot), but it *can* agree that when sunlight enters through eyes, the brain responds by reducing its secretion of melatonin, a hormone that influences mood and energy levels. Side effects: restlessness, a totally uncharacteristic hankering to exercise.
The "where did all these attractive people come from?"
Real headline: "Men horny in autumn, women in spring." Following Elle Woods' logic in Legally Blonde, sunlight gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, and happy people get. it. on. But with the birds and the bees and flowers spraying their sex stuff everywhere, it's not like anybody needs more encouragement to feel all ::saxophone music::, yeah? Plus all the off-the-shoulder tops don't hurt either.
The "for once in my life, I don't feel like eating everything in sight"
Your heart says, "Give me all the lobster grilled cheeses," your body says, "Salad." What gives? Like pretty much everything else we can't control, it's one of those primordial/biological things. Winter = need to eat a lot so you don't die, while warm weather = oh, look, there's so much food again it'll be fine if I think about my summer bod instead of survival.
The "I think I'm...happy"
Yeah, blame it on the serotonin, though, again, nobody really knows why. No matter—now that you know all about the turbulence happening to your insides, get out there and frolic, you nut. It's what Mother Nature would want you to do.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
I'm Chelsea Peng, the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. On my tombstone, I would like a GIF of me that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, I'm into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard I have to go lie down.
-
The Best Face Masks for Every Skin Type and Concern
Oily skin? Need a glow? Want hydration? We have you covered.
By Samantha Holender
-
Is the Humble Bar of Soap the Future of Beauty?
Bars, powders, and concentrates are the beauty world’s latest obsession. Here's why everyone's going "waterless."
By Deanna Pai
-
Laptop Backpacks That Provide Both Fashion and Function
Stylish, take-anywhere backpacks that fit your laptop (and everything else, too).
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Senator Klobuchar: "Early Detection Saves Lives. It Saved Mine"
Senator and breast cancer survivor Amy Klobuchar is encouraging women not to put off preventative care any longer.
By Senator Amy Klobuchar
-
How Being a Plus-Size Nude Model Made Me Finally Love My Body
I'm plus size, but after I decided to pose nude for photos, I suddenly felt more body positive.
By Kelly Burch
-
I'm an Egg Donor. Why Was It So Difficult for Me to Tell People That?
Much like abortion, surrogacy, and IVF, becoming an egg donor was a reproductive choice that felt unfit for society’s standards of womanhood.
By Lauryn Chamberlain
-
The 20 Best Probiotics to Keep Your Gut in Check
Gut health = wealth.
By Julia Marzovilla
-
Simone Biles Is Out of the Team Final at the Tokyo Olympics
She withdrew from the event due to a medical issue, according to USA Gymnastics.
By Rachel Epstein
-
The Truth About Thigh Gaps
We're going to need you to stop right there.
By Kenny Thapoung
-
3 Women On What It’s Like Living With An “Invisible” Condition
Despite having no outward signs, they can be brutal on the body and the mind. Here’s how each woman deals with having illnesses others often don’t understand.
By Emily Shiffer
-
The High Price of Living With Chronic Pain
Three women open up about how their conditions impact their bodies—and their wallets.
By Alice Oglethorpe