The Hidden Stress of Spring

First published by Newsweek 04/25/2025

By Alex Backus and Cameron Schoppa

It’s been a longggg winter here in New York City, but we’re finally defrosting (there are leaves on the trees again)! After spending several frigid months cooped up in small apartments, the sudden switch to spring clothes and a packed social calendar can feel a bit overwhelming—and can leave some of us feeling unexpectedly burned out.

It’s called spring burnout, and it’s more common than you might think, says clinical psychologist Dr. Renee Solomon.

“There’s more sunlight, so one would assume that we are feeling better,” Solomon explains, “but there is more pressure to get more things done, too.”

Spring starts with the time change, and while it’s nice now to have hours of additional sunlight every day, losing that hour does throw off our circadian rhythms. The season also can bring a host of physical and mental stressors. Some common signs of burnout include fatigue, low energy, depression and restlessness.

“There’s a lot more allergens in the environment, and that plays a role,” Solomon said. “There is a lot of pressure because winter has ended, hibernation is done, and all of a sudden it’s okay spring’s here, in the spring, I said I was going to do A, B and C. So there’s the pressure to get so many more things done.”

Warmer weather also brings the added stress of wearing less clothing and the pressure of being spring/summer “ready.” And with calendars suddenly filling up—weddings, rooftop hangs, birthday dinners—it’s easy to go from zero to socially overloaded fast. For some, the season also brings big relationship shifts, too.

“This is the number one time that relationships end,” Solomon says. “It’s this anticipation of this transition coming, of separation of ‘I’m going to be out and about meeting other people’, or after Valentine’s Day, people take stock of their relationships.”

So, what can you do to feel better?

Manage expectations: The shift from winter hibernation to a busier spring schedule is a big one—emotionally, physically and socially. Don’t expect yourself to jump straight into five social events a week or suddenly feel amazing just because the sun’s out. Take things at your own pace and surround yourself with people who fill your cup.

Simple habits that help: They’re basic but important. Solomon reminds anyone struggling with burnout to focus on these four daily practices:

• Exercise: Release endorphins and helps you get out of your head.
• Sleep: Aim for 6–8 hours a night.
• Nutrition: Choose healthy options when possible to support your energy and mood.
• Cold showers: The “shock” can help reset your system and brain.

“Basically, whatever you can do to help ground yourself and create a very solid foundation is really important,” Solomon said. “Being realistic about what that expectation is, and not judging yourself for feeling weird about it, because it’s really going from one extreme to the other.”

First published by Newsweek 04/25/2025