And next thing you know, I’m collapsed on the couch, exhausted and defeated, surrounded by piles of dusted-off-but-still-unfinished endeavors.
The origin of the term “spring fever” is surprising. It didn’t originally refer to a certain giddiness that overtakes us when the daffodils start blooming.
It referred to an actual disease, the symptoms of which included joint swelling, loose teeth and wounds that are slow to heal—all signs of compromised immunity.
Scurvy, it turns out, was the underlying cause.
During winter in the 18th century, when the term first emerged, people didn’t have ready access to fresh fruits and veggies.
As a result, as the cold months dragged on, their bodies slowly became depleted of vitamin c (which causes scurvy).