In times of cold, rainy or snowy weather, I always find myself thinking about the warm morning sun blanketing me as I walk through a cool breeze. Immediately, I’m transported to nature walks, beach days and sipping on a cool drink in the summer warmth. Now that sounds nice, especially when this weather is all imagined on a dreary school day. From mental health benefits to the beauty of the summer scenery, summer definitely wins the “best season” award, and this article will tell you exactly why.
It’s science: summer makes us stronger
Vitamin D is a nutrient our human bodies make in order to strengthen our bones, immune system and muscles by facilitating calcium absorption for bone mineralization. The most direct, accessible way to access this vitamin is simply through the sun. In the United States, we receive more sunlight during the summer because our days are longer, and the sun is closer to us during this time. With access to more sunlight, we are allowing our bodies to process a nutrient making us stronger, which has been proven with the elderly. Keeping our bones and muscles strong allows us to maintain mobility, balance and prevent injury and strengthening our immune systems allows our bodies to protect us against disease. For many students involved with sports or other physical activity, it’s important to have sunshine in order for vitamin D to be produced by our bodies.
Time to travel
Finally, we’re given time to explore what’s beyond our hometowns. Whether it’s a flight to Mexico or a car ride to a nearby city, summer prompts us with the ability to travel somewhere new and explore restaurants, museums and culture beyond the scope of what we live with everyday.
No matter the distance, traveling is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the world around us. Traveling teaches us how to be more humble, culturally aware and adaptable–important lessons that our school classroom may not teach.
The season cuts the stress
For many students, summer is a break. Whether it’s just time away from schoolwork or traveling someplace for vacation, we’re allowing our brain and body to recover from school year stress. Taking a vacation makes us feel good, and getting a time for relaxation decreases burnout and improves sleeping patterns.
A reduction in stress reduces muscle tension, chance of headaches and negative moods. After nine-months filled with homework, studying and sitting at a desk, it’s refreshing to ease the tension of stress building up during the school year.
Summer (and students) are brightened by lively, green scenery
During summer, nature comes to life. Trees’ green foliage colors the summer day along with the bright blue skies and flowers of all colors in full bloom–the greenery of nature is alive.
Not only is seeing the natural world around us in full beauty enjoyable, taking it all in serves benefits beyond the enjoyable sight. As humans, we have an innate, biological connection to nature. As we emotionally bond to the vibrant nature around us in the summer, our parasympathetic nervous system is activated, which calms our mind and body, allowing us to feel restored and happier–especially after a school year filled with deadlines and assignments.
The weather
As our cities warm up, the atmosphere of our daily lives completely alters. Flowy, light clothes, picnics and barbecues with friends and family and participating in outdoor activities all can happen without the unpredictability of weather the other three seasons hold.
As students, we finally get the chance to enjoy the beautiful sunny days laid out through June to August, rather than shivering through each step we take to walk to our first class of the day.
The various benefits summer proves to give shows why summer is certainly the best season–especially for students in school.
