Photographs: Pexels
Text: Monika Pedersen
March officially marks the beginning of Spring—hallelujah! It brings with it a sense of renewed hope and optimism.
Winter solstice
The dreariness of the winter months is fading, and the chance of more light and the gradual arrival of longer days are blessings for us all! The first official day of Spring is the 21st of March. Daylight Savings Time in Denmark starts on the last Sunday of March and lasts until the last week of October. It was introduced to save on energy bills.
It tends to be gladly received, as the short days and winter months tend to induce a hibernation effect. In fact, the lack of sunshine and light certainly has a negative effect on those who have come from sunny climes. It can impact their well-being, causing a lack of motivation, sadness, and, in extreme cases, depression.
Just a few days ago, a parent who had recently moved from the southern hemisphere told me that his son was very upset that he did not see the sun and that it was always dark and dismal. He had noticed that his son was much more irritable and not his usual jolly self. These feelings are not uncommon in children and older adults.
In Denmark, there is no escaping the darkness, so it is essential to take vitamin D and vitamin C, eat a healthy diet, and avoid being enticed to indulge in too many comfort foods. In addition, plenty of outdoor exercise should still be undertaken; it is a must. The key is having the right clothes, such as a snowsuit or a rain-protective outfit, so one can venture out whatever the weather brings.
However, as mentioned, Spring brings renewed vitality and a sense of celebration, which is also a theme of another important date in March.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March. It is an important reminder that despite many significant developments to promote women's equality, there are many places in the world where women are subjected to unfair, unjust treatment that should not exist in modern society. International Women's Day is a day to mark women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It is also a rallying call to raise awareness that continued efforts to improve the situation are still needed.
"World Earth Hour Day is honoured on Saturday, the 22nd of March."
Equality in education
In the primary years, there is equality between girls and boys, but this trend shifts as students grow older. The boys slowly accelerate significantly in subjects related to Math and Science. Girls are equally good, but they do not always have self-belief. However, through the diligence of many young girls, the gap evens up, especially at the university level. Unfortunately, the gender gap is very apparent, yet again, in the job market, where women are often paid less for performing the same job as a man. Additionally, the disparity becomes even greater when looking at top-paying jobs; there are still far fewer female CEOs than male ones. The situation in Demark is not the gravest by far, but there is room for more improvement, hence the importance of International Women’s Day.
World Earth Hour
World Earth Hour Day is honoured on Saturday, the 22nd of March. It is a global movement that reminds us of the need to take care of our planet by conserving energy to help plants survive longer. It is essential to switch off lights and sit by candles or other forms of natural light. It can be a wonderful teachable moment to share with students, alerting them to the need to conserve energy and protect the longevity of the planet.
Spring clean
So, as March ebbs away and April beckons, clean out your drawers, beat off the cobwebs, and celebrate the positive aspects of Spring by putting one foot in front of another. Look forward to better times!