Spring is in the air and we at PIH are ready for the growth and celebration that the season will bring. Here are our top 5 reasons to celebrate spring:
1) Sunlight
Following the spring equinox, which occurs on March 20th, the days begin to last longer and nights grow shorter. This means even more daylight hours to enjoy as those extra hours can be a major mood-booster. A 2016 study of students at Brigham Young University found that the longer the sun was up, the less mental distress they experienced. Sunlight also triggers your body to produce vitamin D turned hormone, which is beneficial in so many major bodily functions, including supporting immune health, muscle function, metabolic function, and bone strength and preservation, to name a few.
2) Green things begin to bloom
It's amazing what a little sun can do for plants and grass. Through photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into food, releasing oxygen in the process. That means as plants start to grow in the spring, they filter carbon out of the atmosphere and replenish the environment with oxygen, a critical life and health promoting and sustaining process.
3) More time outside
In addition to the mood-boosting benefits of the sunshine, research has found that taking walks in nature slows your heart rate and makes you more relaxed. Additional body and brain benefits were found in a study from the University of Michigan linked spending 30 minutes or more outside in warm, sunny spring weather to a better memory. Working out can also be more beneficial if you do it outside. A 2011 study found that compared with an indoor workout, exercising outdoors in nature increased energy levels, made people feel revitalized, and decreased tension, among other positive effects. People who worked out in the fresh air also tended to say they enjoyed the experience more and would be likely to repeat it, suggesting that using nature as your gym might help you stick with your exercise regimen.
4) It’s much easier to find fresh produce
Many vegetables and some fruits are harvested in the spring. Getting more fruits and vegetables into your diet isn't just good for the body; it's good for the soul. A 2016 study of more than 12,000 Australians found that when folks increased the amount of fruits and vegetables in their diets, they felt happier and had a higher rate of life satisfaction. Not to mention the massive health boosting benefits that all those vitamins and minerals bring to the body.
5) Spring literally changes your brain
Spending time outside in the sunny spring weather isn't just a mood booster, it actually can change the way people think. Researchers found that being outdoors broadened participants' minds, leaving them more open to new information and creative thoughts.
So, there you have it; the top 5 things we will celebrate this spring. We hope that you’ll join us in this magnificent season for repair, replenishment, and restoration. Enjoy!
