springtime

yesterday was a beautiful day. sunny, 75, basically perfect. i spent the day outside reading and watching people in rittenhouse square. so many babies and puppies! i found myself happier about life and about the world in general during this "me time" and i started to think, the weather really does impact the way a person feels.

this, of course, isn't new information. a study five years ago said that spending time in nice weather can work towards "improving mood, memory and broadening cognitive style " (for the complete article go here). i think we aren't built to spend our days indoors, looking at concrete and fluorescent lights. one of the hardest things about being in tech for a show is not seeing the sun. during long days, you enter the theatre just a few hours into the day and you leave well after the sun has set. it messes up your internal clock, you forget what day it is, and generally you just feel tired and less happy.

that's why it's so important for us to spend time outside. breathing fresh air and getting sunlight doesn't just improve mood but it also reminds you that there, to quote avenue q, is life outside your apartment. what's more, it connects you to the greater world. there are people around you when you are outside who, while living their own lives, interact with you through their eyes, their smiles, their laughs. it's pretty cool to be a part of this larger society. so next time it is nice and sunny outside, go for a walk or take that work and sit on a bench. it'll be one of the best things you can do for yourself.