July 28, 2007

Each season brings us new pleasures. All seasons are there to be enjoyed and the memories they leave are to be cherished. It could be the quality time we spend doing things we enjoy in summer vacations, feeling the cool raindrops while bathing in the rain, watching movies or reading novels while enjoying hot cocoa in our warm beds in winters, or enjoying the colours and fragrance of flowers blooming in our gardens in spring. Every season is different and brings so much to enjoy and look forward to.

A season is one of the major divisions of the year, generally based on yearly periodic changes in weather. In regions that are not close to the equator, generally four seasons are recognised: spring, summer, autumn (fall), and winter. However in regions closer to equator, it is more common to speak of the rainy (or wet) season versus the dry season.

The seasons result from the Earth being tilted relative to its circular path of rotation around the sun; it deviates by an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees. Thus, at any given time during a year, one part of the planet is more directly exposed to the rays of the Sun. The part more exposed would have higher temperatures and the part less exposed would have lower temperatures. This exposure alternates as the Earth revolves in its orbit.

At any given time, regardless of season, the northern and southern hemispheres experience opposite seasons. Seasonal weather fluctuations also depend on factors such as proximity to oceans or other large bodies of water, currents in those oceans, altitude of the place, and prevailing winds, etc.

Let us review the changes various seasons bring, their pleasures and how we can enjoy in each of the seasons.

Spring

After the cold of winters the hemisphere begins to warm significantly, causing new plant growth to ‘spring forth’, giving the season its name. The temperatures are neither high nor low and hence the weather remains pleasant in this season. Snow begins to melt, and rivers and streams swell with runoff and spring rains. Springtime is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life (both plant and animal) being born, and of starting the cycle of life once again. This season lasts from February to middle of April.

The season starts with the Valentines’ Day celebrations. You do not have to be in love to celebrate this day. You can send cards or flowers to your friends or anyone with whom you share a platonic relationship. Then you also get the opportunity to get new clothes for yourself as what one wears in winter is often not wearable in spring. Use this opportunity to plan your wardrobe carefully and with summers in mind.

In spring, various events and festivals are held in different cities to celebrate this season. Do take part in them. Also take time out to enjoy the foliage changing its colour and the fresh crisp air. There is so much greenery, freshness and colours around in spring that all your senses seem revitalised. Flowers are in full bloom and enjoying their presence is a pleasure in itself. You can sneak through the tulips, run with wildflowers, watch the daisies grow, laze around in the glory of morning flowers or unwind in the paradise of tropical blooms. The alluring, fragrant, and colourful range of flowers is sure to keep you invigorated and smelling like a rose for seasons to come!

Summer

Days are long and temperatures warm in the summer. And with power outages life could become miserably hot. However, we do experience occasional rains and evening breezes in the summer and the weather ranges from very hot to cool and pleasant. The summer season stretches from middle of April to mid-August. Many fruits, vegetables, and plants are found in this season.

Summer clothing accounts for the effects of increased heat and sunshine, including but not limited to shorts, t-shirts, sun dresses, sunglasses, and sandals. You can wear trendy outfits, including necessary accessories, as summers allow much flexibility in this regard. And then summers bring what we like most in any year. Yes! Summer vacation. Initially holidays seem like a blessing but it starts to get boring with time. However you can plan out activities for summer to have a good time.

Join a gym, visit libraries and clubs, attend summer camps or classes of different kinds (painting, computer, music, cooking etc.), enjoy or learn to swim, read books and novels, or write articles for magazines to keep busy and have fun. And then you can always play outdoor or indoor games (depending on the weather), enjoy summer Hollywood blockbusters, or have a nice time on the beach or by going to hill-stations. But don’t forget to set monthly and daily targets to finish your homework or you might find yourself in trouble at the end of vacation.

You may feel dehydrated or feel sick due to extreme heat so drink lots of water. Carry a water bottle with you when going outside, and use sunscreens, hats or caps and sunglasses. And, of course, do enjoy cold beverages, ice cream, and the like whenever you can.

Autumn/rainy season

Around this time, deciduous trees shed their leaves. The leaves of the trees change their colour to a reddish shade prior to falling. Such coloured leaves have come to be commonly called "fall foliage". In the regions relatively closer to the equator, most crops are harvested in this season. The days get shorter and cooler, the nights get longer, and precipitation gradually increases. Rainy season is hence a part of autumn. The autumn season stretches from mid-August to October.

As in spring, the air is fresh and crisp in autumns. Though fallen leaves depict a sad picture, the large masses of red leaves, particularly in areas where there are many trees, sometimes are a sight in themselves. Despite the lack of greenery and freshness in the environment, the rain and cooler temperatures brings relief from the oppressive heat of summers.

No aspect of weather is as much enjoyed as the rain. The feeling, the sensation of cool raindrops on one’s body leaves one feeling overjoyed; and relieved from the excruciating heat of summers. Even if you decide not to bathe in the rain, watching it fall and feeling the accompanying cool breeze is a pleasure in itself. You can enjoy all the usual delectable delicacies such as pizzas, burgers, chips, etc. to have even more fun in the rainy season. And then, when the weather is dry but cloudy and pleasant, you can go with your elders or friends for outings or long drives.

Winter

Winter is the season with the shortest days and the lowest temperatures with fogs in night and early morning. It generally has cold weather and, especially in farther north, snow and ice. Nights are long in winter and you can rest and relax as much as you want. It lasts from November to January.

Passing seasons change the habits and moods of people. During the winter months a gloominess nicknamed ‘winter blues’ or doldrums (causing more sleep, tiredness, depression, and body aches) is ‘informally’ noted among some people due to decreased exposure to light. However, this gloominess is at least as much psychological as it is physical. Still, almost everyone catches at least the common cold in winters which can easily aggravate. So it is essential to take a lot of care and keep oneself warm in this season.

Winter is a season to celebrate and brings with it Christmas and New Year and loads of weddings. And then, winter clothing allows the freedom to try different combinations and experiment with the way one dresses up simply because more clothing items can be worn.

One can always find ways to enjoy the winter season. You can take hot baths for long periods, enjoy dry fruits or cups of hot cocoa, read novels or watch movies in the comfort of your blankets on bed, or just play indoor games. But do flex your lazy muscles and go to hill-stations to enjoy the snowfall. You can engage in snow ball fights, skiing, skating and snowman or snow-castle building. Though you might feel lazy in winters, the power to engage in various activities and to enjoy yourself still lies with you.

While you might not like a particular season, remember that what you have now is important. Do look forward to your favourite season but try to enjoy your life all the time. Seasons provide us opportunity to enjoy in different ways and are reflective of life in its different colours. You need to adjust to different seasons of your life and try to make the most of them!