Spring fever

Spring fever is any of a number of mood, physical, or behavioral changes, which may be experienced coinciding with the arrival of spring, particularly restlessness, laziness, and even amorousness.[1]

For works entitled "Spring Fever", see Spring Fever (disambiguation).

Overview

The term spring fever is an auto-antonym (a term with multiple and opposed meanings). It may refer to an increase in energy, vitality, and sexual appetite, as well as a feeling of restlessness, associated with the end of winter. This concept may have a biological basis.[2] A lift in mood with the arrival of spring, and longer periods of daylight, is often particularly strong in those suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), who experience lows or depression during the winter months.[3] It is this sense that inspires the use of the term as a title for several works of literature and entertainment.

The term may sometimes be used to describe an opposite effect of springtime lethargy or depression.

In the 17th and 18th centuries in Australia, Spring fever or Spring disease described an often fatal condition associated with skin lesions, bleeding gums and lethargy. The disease was later identified as scurvy with a simple cure of dietary fresh vegetables and fruit.[4]

Notes
  1. "Spring fever". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  2. Nicholson, Christie. "Fact or Fiction?: 'Spring Fever' Is a Real Phenomenon: Scientific American". Sciam.com. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  3. "Science of Spring Fever". The Times. 2006. Archived from the original on July 27, 2008.
  4. "Watch out for spring fever!". Knoxville Pediatric Associates. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
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