I had just flown in from a wedding in Southern California, so obviously the unpleasant weather was not a surprise, especially since my Twitter feed had kept me well informed about the weather I was missing.

But that wasn’t the only thing I noticed.

Since moving from California to Michigan, I’ve noticed that people who live in warmer climates generally are happier than people who live in colder climates.

Not that putting on two pairs of pants, two pairs of gloves and a dozen sweatshirts before heading out the door isn’t exhilarating, but I definitely would be happier if I could save 15 minutes of my time by not layering up each morning before facing the frozen tundra known as Michigan.

From recent trips and from experience living in California, I think people generally are in a better mood when they see the sun more than twice a week during the winter.

Sales associates tend to be friendlier, customer is service is better and smiling at one another in passing is not uncommon—and who doesn’t love to smile?

Once I landed in Michigan, I noticed a complete change in everyone I interacted with. Even the TSA agents in the Orange County airport are friendlier—and that’s hard to come by.

I also noticed that people in warmer climates overall are more active than people in colder climates.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: It’s hard to work out when it’s snowing or freezing cold for half the year, and I completely agree.

I am not one to blaze an outdoor trail and brave winter’s elements to better my health. But I can acknowledge the fact that people overall are more active in California, even more active than Michiganians are in the summer.

When I visited California last summer, I noticed so many people out running, walking, getting dragged around by their dogs, having romantic picnics, white water rafting or really anything else remotely active that will get you outside.

I feel like people enjoy being outside more and are happier since they can bask in sunlight about 342 days out of the year.

Whenever I come home from a trip to California, I always seem to make a pledge to be more active.
I won’t lie, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but what the warm weather does do is make me really appreciate warmth, sunshine and summertime.

When it looks like a beautiful day outside, I really try not to waste it.

I know sometimes it’s impossible to make it outside, so I try to do a few little things to stay happy and healthy.

I’m a huge fan of taking vitamins, especially when they are in gummy form, so I make sure to take Vitamin D during the winter.

Vitamin D can synthesize from cholesterol inside your body when sun exposure is adequate, so it’s often nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin.”

Vitamin D can spur neuronal growth in the brain, which makes the body happier. Vitamin D is an important part of my diet when sunny days are limited.

I’ve also invested in a sun light lamp for my desk. Sun lamps often release healthy negative ions into the air, which are similar to those released by the sun.

I’ve noticed the bulbs in my lamp are not as intense as regular light bulbs and that I can often work longer because I get headaches less frequently.

I’m not sure if I have noticed higher spirits or a better mood, which might be because I am normally studying into the wee hours of the morning, but I figure every little bit helps.

Now I know a Michigan winter, or any winter for that matter, can seem bleak, but I promise there is a light at the end of the seasonal tunnel and it will one day come to an end.

But until it does, remember to not take the few sunny days for granted.

Get outside and try to enjoy the sunshine. You’ll be happy you did.

Paige Bolen is a guest columnist at The State News and a journalism and advertising senior. Reach her at bolenpai@msu.edu.