When I walked out the door Tuesday, I couldn't help but smile as I was hit with the rays of the warm sun.

I looked at my phone - which has a thermometer on the lock screen: 45 degrees.Who cares, I'll take it. Is today dress down day? Can I wear shorts anyway?Last fall, when temperatures were around these levels, I was probably wearing a parka. It's funny how our minds interpret temperature like that.When temperatures are on the decline, it feels a heck of a lot colder than when they start on the climb again the next spring.I think that spring has an added effect that makes it feel a little warmer - the freedom from winter's chill.Even in a mild winter like this one, people will tell you that there's a psychological effect to spending so much time indoors. When you leave work at 4:30 p.m. and it's already dark out, that can happen.I attended a middle school that had no windows - and no walls on the inside for that matter. One of my teachers once told me that he felt like a vampire because he would come into school when it was dark and leave after sunset.Scientists actually have a name - seasonal affective disorder - that they give to the winter blues that many of us feel.I try to focus on things that are unique to winter to find somewhat of a silver lining in the season.One way of doing that is winter sports. The Danish have a philosophy known as hygge, which encourages them to embrace the cold winter months. I try to practice hygge by hitting Blue Mountain as much as possible, and if the ice is thick enough, playing a little pond hockey.But there's no denying the uplifting feeling of longer days, especially with the clocks going back.I hear the sun is supposed to stick around the weekend.Let me check the forecast - 55 degrees.I think we have a heat wave coming on.