Spring has sprung and with it comes bright and colorful fashion. Put your sweatpants back in the closet, wipe your tears away and grab your shorts.
With the cold winter weather and gray skies, moods are low and it can feel like time is dragging on.
According to an article from Boston University, over 10 million Americans have seasonal depression. So it’s no surprise that during winter, people revert to wearing sweatpants, hoodies, boots and coats. This reflects how people’s moods and emotions shift in the cooler months leaving people feeling more comfortable in darker, cozy outfits.
In the time between winter and spring, when one day it is 30 degrees and the next it is 70 degrees it can be confusing to know how to handle your emotions and how to dress to meet the needs of the weather and the needs of your mental health.
In an article from the American Psychology Association, Caitlyn Mair, Ph.D. spoke on how self expression impacts mental health.
“Giving people autonomy at work or in their lives in whichever aspect is possible, is a really positive element of people's life,” Mair said.
This idea of self expression can be easily applied to everyday life through fashion. Using style as a form of self expression is scientifically proven to raise people’s mood allowing for more creativity and joy within this trying season.
Everyone wears clothes, so why not have fun with it? There’s no better time than the present to start experimenting and start to feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Mood depends a lot on comfort, so when choosing pieces it is important to pick one’s that feel like you. Choose colors and patterns that make you feel happy and comfortable.
Found in a study done at the University of Florida, color can also be an important tool to improve mood. Winter tends to be associated with dull colors like brown and gray but spring is known for its often bright color palette; Pastel pinks, blues, purples and yellows.
With all of spring’s bright colors, trying out new styles and seeing what makes you feel the most confident has never felt better. This spring, take charge of your mental health by experimenting with bright colors and bold outfits.
