Spring fever, that reputed and seemingly infectious malady that strikes when the days lengthen and temperatures begin to climb, has been blamed for feverish bouts of house-cleaning, restless behavior in the classroom, distraction in meetings and love struck dazes.

Some scientists think spring fever is more than just a colloquialism -- they think it's a constellation of symptoms brought about by hormonal changes in the body.  Levels of the chemical, serotonin, rise in spring. This mood-elevating neurotransmitter may be at the root of the giddiness, energy boost and enthusiasm that characterize spring fever.

Allergists, not surprisingly, field surges of complaints about hay fever in spring. Also, obstetricians have reported spring to be a season of exceptionally high rates of unplanned pregnancies. (Scientists are uncertain as to what's behind this last effect, though unusually high springtime sperm counts in men offer some clue.)

On the plus side, spring is also the season in which people bid a temporary farewell to flu, seasonal affective disorder and heart attacks, all of which peak in winter.

Here are some great places to get out and enjoy while Mother Nature is being kind to us.

• Take a walk around town.
• Buy a bicycle.
• Plant some flowers.
• Unwrap your patio furniture and eat outside.
• Schedule your air conditioning's annual maintenance.
• Have a barbeque.
• Visit a restaurant with outdoor seating.
• Buy a new spring wardrobe.
• Grab your camera and enjoy nature.
• Get out there and have fun!

 

Let us know how you celebrate Spring on LongIsland.com Forum