Although “spring fever” is not recognized as a medical condition, it has generally become accepted as a real condition linked with seasonal changes. Some experts even consider it to be a type of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The changes in behavior and physiology associated with spring fever are caused by increased sunlight. The resulting symptoms include restlessness, mood swings, lack of focus, and a desire to be outdoors.
Helping Kids Maintain Healthy Brains
Symptoms of spring fever can be mitigated by helping our kids maintain healthy brains. In my book with Dr. Daniel Amen, Raising Mentally Strong Kids, we describe three behaviors we can teach our kids to help them establish a healthy foundation for their brains:
- Love their brain and body
- Avoid things that hurt the brain and body
- Do things that help the brain and body
You can ensure your kids maintain good focus, energy, attention, and decision-making by helping them with good food choices, physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, and brain exercises.
Spring Fever and Teen Challenges
One of the symptoms of spring fever—the desire to be outdoors—can inspire some of the vacations and parties that come during springtime. These can be a challenge for even the most sensible teenagers. Because of this, spring fever can be life-threatening, as teens now face more serious, potentially life-threatening decisions associated with these activities than in previous generations.
Fortunately, there are some simple, time-tested ways that parents can help their teens make cool decisions as the weather gets warmer. Here are four suggestions based on Love and Logic that can help you:
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking teens no longer need their parents
Because their adolescents are becoming more independent, many parents believe it’s okay to leave them without supervision for hours on end. Nothing could be further from the truth. Wise parents understand this, and they recognize teens still need a watchful, yet friendly eye.
Set enforceable limits
Teens need and want limits. However, instead of telling your teens what they should do, experiment with telling them what you will do or what you will allow. For example, instead of commanding your teen to be home on time, try using an enforceable statement such as, “I share the car keys with those who come home on time.”
Hold them accountable with empathy and logical consequences
Providing consequences with anger, lectures, and threats will result in defensiveness, creating teens who think, “When I make poor decisions, it makes others really mad. I better not get caught.” If anger is replaced with a genuine dose of empathy or sadness, teens will realize that, “When I make poor decisions, it makes my life really sad. For my sake, I’d better make wise ones!”
When you are too angry or worried to think—delay the consequence
We are human, and there are times when teens can throw us completely off balance. When this happens, buy some time by saying, “I’m going to have to do something about this. But not now—later. Try not to worry.” Take some time to calm down, think rationally, and get some ideas from friends.
Additional Support for Parents
For kids of all ages, our book, Raising Mentally Strong Kids: How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic® to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Children and Young Adults, provides additional insights, tips, and guidelines for parents who want to help their kids make good decisions throughout their lives.
Thanks for reading!
