As I write this, it’s the beginning of February. After quite a long winter — cold and every so often a bit grey — the sun has been out since last Friday, and especially on the weekend it has been quite nice. With the first hints of spring, plenty of interesting changes are happening. It’s a bit crazy that it starts in February, but here we are.
Goodbye Winter Depression
I’m quite lucky in that I’m not very affected by seasonal depression. But I do have friends where I can measurably see if the winter has been too dark, too grey, and going on for too long. Especially in Zurich, where the winter can be very grey and frankly not very pleasant, this can be a bit more exaggerated than in other places.
I have my theory why some people are more affected than others, and it’s simple. For me to be happy, I need to get some fresh air every day. In summer, we all spend a lot of time outside and enjoy the weather. But in winter, this is much harder. If you don’t have a hobby or a commute to work that exposes you regularly to some fresh air, then it just happens much less in the winter.
The solution to this is also rather simple: even when it’s cold, wet, or just a bit unfriendly, go outside — especially on weekends. For me, this generally works well because I try to go running five times a week, and on days I’m not running, I go for a short walk, just to get some fresh air on my skin. And because I bike to work most days of the week, I get a bit of fresh air anyway.
People Are Getting Out
Another surprising fact is the number of people who come out of their hiding holes. Today, pretty much every spot in Zurich where there was some sun was filled with people.
For the last couple of weeks, even a few months, I haven’t seen that collection of people, except maybe at some Christmas markets. But today, there were families and friends, old and young, people from all walks of life in the city. They were drinking coffee, listening to the few people busking on the border of the lake, and just enjoying the sun, getting some vitamin D through their skin.
I was still a bit surprised by how many people were also driving cars through the city, especially since it is now so nice outside that walking is super pleasant. But then again, I will probably never really understand why people drive a car, much less why they drive into a big city which has traffic problems as is — no need to drive further cars into the city.
Hay Fever Is Back
Perhaps a less enjoyable surprise of spring is that even this early in the year, I can feel a bit of hay fever. I have been sneezing, my nose has been running, and my eyes are itching ever since the start of last week. I feel like year by year, I can feel the pollen a bit earlier and my allergic reaction gets stronger.
Current measurements for pollen in Zurich. From aha! Allergiezentrum Schweiz
What is surprising as well is that it is still cold, about 5-10 °C as of writing this. So none of the cool (well, warm) benefits of spring, but already the annoying part of hay fever is here. But that’s life with hay fever — as soon as spring starts, and you would like to go outside a bit more, it’s kind of hard because of the allergic reaction. And every year, it starts a bit earlier, and because of climate change, it’s also getting worse.
If it continues at this rate, I will have to think about a desensitisation therapy, but not while the pollen are out and about.
Summer Is Coming Soon
Long story short, summer is coming soon, and I’m ready for it. Summer is probably the most beautiful time in Zurich, and so I’m eagerly awaiting it.
So here’s to warmth, here’s to the sun, and here’s to dancing through long summer nights!
