SNOW SPIRIT BRINGS US TOGETHER

Snow Spirit Brings Us Together

10:40pm UK, Thursday February 05, 2009

Jo Couzens, Sky News Online
As parts of the country grind to halt, crippled by heavy snowfall, most of the British public seem to be rather enjoying the freak weather.

People throw snowballs in Victoria Park, Windmill Hill, Bristol

People throw snowballs in Victoria Park, Bristol

Road conditions are treacherous and hospital A&E departments are reporting a surge in the number of broken wrists as people take a tumble on icy pavements.

But there is definitely a 'Blitz spirit' in the air.

Strangers are grinning and chatting to each other as they try to go about their usual routine.

Drivers good naturedly swap insurance details with a "what can you do?" shrug after their cars collide in icy slow motion.

"It's a little bit exciting in a funny kind of way, a little bit out of the ordinary," psychologist Dr Glenn Wilson, of King's College London, told Sky News Online.

"Adults become playful children because they can recall building snowmen and such in their youth.

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"Weather like this is so unusual that it's bound to evoke memories of childhood and can also make people think of being on holiday.

NOTE:the people can also make to think to being on holiday

"I think people like something a bit out of the ordinary - something to break the tedious routine. For others, it's an excuse to get off work."

And humanistic counsellor Joanna Yardley told Sky News Online: "People are connecting with each other on a child to child level.

"It's like a rubber band, pinging you back to a moment in your past."

But it seems there is a bit more science behind our good mood than simply happy childhood memories.

Dr Wilson explained: "The high levels of illumination that you get with sun and snow may be reviving people in terms of vitamin D and psychologically in terms of spirit.

NOTE: the high of sun and snow may be reviving in terms of vitamins D.

A sunbeam reflects as cyclists rest in a park in the snow

A sunbeam reflects in the snow

"A lot of people suffer from a kind of winter depression and light is one of the things that will help get us well and fit."

And it seems the camaradarie and smiling stoicism - or 'Blitz spirit' - seen this week is not such a cliche.

"Another aspect of the excitement is that we are facing a common threat," explained Dr Wilson.

"Psychology shows the thing that brings groups and people together is a common threat."

Mrs Yardley agrees: "It's a bit of a Blitz mentality - we must all pull together and get through it."

So, if the snow is still lingering at the weekend, dust off that old sledge and say hello to your inner child.

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