Spring is the Season of new growth and change, a wonderful reminder that the cycle of life is starting over again and that better times lie ahead. With the warmer weather, the trees in bud, beautiful blossoms blooming and daffodils shining, how can we not be inspired to feel more joyful and optimistic about life when Spring arrives? Afterall, if the flowers can push their way through the frosty ground, then surely, we can flourish too? There are many reasons to be excited by the new season and the positive effects it can have on our emotional and physical wellbeing.
Hope is a common theme associated with Spring and this is perhaps what prompted the philosopher Bern Williams to say: “The day the Lord created hope, was probably the same day he created Spring”.
Hope and optimism are fundamental to our wellbeing. Not only do they make life more enjoyable, but experts say they provide psychological resilience against things like stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. People with an optimistic outlook on life have also been found to be ill less often, recover from any illness more quickly than others, and live longer.
The increased daylight and warmer temperatures in Spring encourage hormonal changes that help to boost our mood and energy levels. Hormones that have a particularly strong influence on our moods are the sleep hormone melatonin and the happiness hormone serotonin, explains Helmut Schatz, spokesman for the German Society of Endocrinology. When it gets light earlier and the sun shines more strongly, more light hits the eye. Thus the pineal gland — sometimes called the third eye — sends an order to the brain to lower melatonin production, “which makes us more lively.”
Studies show that when it is darker outside in Winter, our bodies produce more of the sleep hormone, melatonin, which causes us to feel more lethargic. When the days start to brighten in Spring, the light suppresses our melatonin production, which helps us to feel more alert and energised. At the same time, serotonin increases in the body when it’s sunny, and with more of the happiness hormone in our blood, our moods improve.
There is lots to do in the garden in Spring, and there is now a growing body of evidence that shows the positive effects that gardening can have on our health. It not only helps keep us physically fit, but can also significantly improve our mental health and wellbeing. Researchers have found that smelling flowers or even pulling up weeds can decrease blood pressure, increase brain activity and produce a sense of wellbeing.
Whilst immersing ourselves in the garden, we will also be surrounded by an abundance of colour, with all the Spring blooms currently on show. There is some writing around the psychological effect colours can have on us and the emotions they evoke.
Pink is a light red hue and is typically associated with love and romance. People associate the colour with qualities, such as softness, kindness, nurturing, and compassion. A light pink is often viewed as soft, healing, and peaceful, whereas a hot pink might be seen as bold and exciting.
The colour yellow can be bright and intense, which is perhaps why it can often invoke such strong feelings. Yellow can quickly grab our attention, but it can also be abrasive when overused. It can appear warm and bright, yet it can also lead to visual fatigue. For many people however, yellow is seen as a bright and cheerful colour, that also energises and uplifts.
The colour purple is associated with a variety of meanings, including creativity, royalty, power, ambition, and luxury. It can also represent magic, extravagance, peace, pride, independence, and wealth. Purple also represents wisdom and spirituality. Its rare and mysterious nature perhaps causes it to seem connected to the unknown, supernatural, and divine. Light purple is associated with light-hearted, romantic energies; purple can also signify courage and bravery.
Orange can be a very strong and energetic colour. Like yellow, it can be very attention-grabbing, which is perhaps why it is often used in advertising. Whilst some people might see orange as too bright and overwhelming, most people often describe the colour orange as bright, happy, and uplifting. It is used also to bring the association of peace and harmony, as well as playfulness and vibrancy. The colour orange is often associated with spiritual practices including meditation and compassion.
Vitamin D is a unique vitamin that most people don’t get enough of. Although some comes from our diet, 80% of our vitamin D is made from cholesterol in our skin when it’s exposed to the sun. Vitamin D is essential for optimal health, and a deficiency (or insufficiency) can cause many serious health issues. Often, we don’t get sufficient sunshine in Winter, which is why we should get outside and enjoy the Spring sunshine as much as we possibly can (in a safe manner of course).
Humans are programmed to rest when it is dark, and to be active when it’s light. So, as the days get lighter, longer, and warmer we are more encouraged to start doing outdoor activities. Green exercise and being connected to nature is a huge wellbeing trend and has become even more important during the recent pandemic.
If winter is too cold and summer is too hot, Spring is just perfect for outdoor exercise, which according to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, is actually more beneficial for your mental and physical wellbeing that a sweaty session indoors. The fresh air and natural light are more invigorating and provide more energy for the body and mind. It is also thought that outdoor exercise lowers the blood pressure and heart rate. This means it feels less strenuous than exercising indoors, which in turn helps us achieve our maximum performance. In addition to this, exercise releases endorphins that help relieve stress and pain and increases the production of serotonin which boosts our mood. Sleep quality can also be improved.
You don't have to be doing strenuous exercise to reap the health benefits of the great outdoors. Technology and urbanisation have led to what is being labelled as 'nature deficit disorder', so just taking time out to slow down, relax and connect with your natural surroundings is also good for your overall wellbeing. Go for a walk, walk barefoot in the grass, smell the flowers, do some stargazing, or simply sit outside with no devices and enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring.
