Spring fever is a real disease.

Itchy eyes, twitchy legs, trouble with concentration, and a desperate need for fresh air are some of the basic symptoms of spring fever. Deeper effects are found in our inability to complete normal tasks, such as writing or grading papers, doing laundry, finishing anything necessary for our employment or education (even though we know it HAS to get done.)

Unfortunately it can also lead to crabbiness and short temper. Last week I had to take a walk with my 7 year-old daughter because she and her classmates were feeling the effects of the spring fever bug. (I might have also felt a touch of it coming on, which resulted in our decision to take a long walk.) My little girl explained to me that the kids in her class were not being nice to one another, and even though she tried to make them be nice, she could not stop them from picking at each other. I listened carefully and remembered well what grade school was like and smiled at how some things never change.

I carefully explained to my daughter that they were experiencing growing pains and spring fever. She and her friends were starting to outgrow 1st grade and the nice spring weather was making everyone antsy to be out of school. The warmer weather and all the learning that had taken place this year caused to them to get too big for their current space.

This didn’t help. It brought on tears because my daughter LOVES her teacher and doesn’t want to leave Miss B. I assured her it was ok to move on to 2nd grade because she will love her new teacher just as well. Plus Miss B. will still be there to check in on her.

As we reached the summit of our walk, I began telling my little girl about the effects of spring fever on my students, fellow teachers, and me. I told her how hard it was for kids in high school to even come to school, because they were so overcome by springtime

I shared the fact that sometimes we teachers get snippy at one another because we are eager for summer. My desperate desire to finish grading research papers and my even greater wish to be outside playing with my kiddos were also on my list of symptoms.

As we rounded the corner of our driveway, my sweet girl said, “Mommy, I guess you have outgrown your big kids too.” I smiled and said, ” No. I think they have outgrown me and I don’t know what to do about it.” She replied with, “I love you, Mommy.”

Our walk started as a chance to for my mimi-me to let out what was ailing her but resulted in diagnosing one of my greatest spring fever symptoms. It is time to let another school year go and get through springtime separation anxiety.

So in this spring fever sufferer’s personal experience, a long heart-to-heart walk will work wonders for what ails you. Put your intent and energy this spring into moving forward and you will love the results.

By: Melanie A. Peters