The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and the sun is shining more and more. As the earth comes back to life, spring fills us with hope—even if we have to appreciate all the beauty from behind glass. With stay-at-home orders in place, many wonder if there is still room for hope this spring. We affirm the positive: Yes, hope should abound, now more than ever before.
We Look Forward to the Future
According to Merriam-Webster, to hope is “to expect with confidence.” Though the world may be troublesome now, we still have so much to which we can look forward. The time will come when we can again spend time with friends and family, go on trips, and enjoy sports games and concerts in person, surrounded by fellow fans. We may not be able to control everything, but we can choose to focus our attention on what is to come.
Hope Is Strongest in Stormy Weather
Hope, according to Emily Dickinson, is like a bird:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
“And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard”
As Dickinson wrote, hope is most crucial during the hard times. When the present is great, why should you care what the future holds? But in the middle of a storm, there is an end for which to hold out.
Sunlight Helps Our Minds and Bodies
If only there were a free, readily available compound that could raise our spirits through casual contact. Oh, wait, there is! Sunlight increases serotonin levels, which goes towards improving our moods and overcoming seasonal depression. It’s basically a free mood enhancer!
With the days getting longer and longer, our supply of Vitamin D is growing with every passing day. According to Healthline, “When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes vitamin D from cholesterol. The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit cholesterol in the skin cells, providing the energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur.” Your body puts that vitamin D to use in your gut, which needs the help to absorb essential minerals and can help prevent osteoporosis, cancer, and muscle weakness.
Though this spring is unlike any we’ve experienced, we can still hope. We encourage you to look forward with confidence for the end of the storm, enjoying the sunlight to get you through. Live happy® and stay safe.