Health and Wellness in the Spring
Spring is right around the corner! That means warmer weather, longer days, and new beginnings! As nature begins to bloom again, this also means a lot of change that can affect our overall health and wellness. There are pros and cons to these changes, but being aware of them is what’s most important.
One thing that spring will change in our bodies is our hormones. The darkness of winter causes our bodies to automatically produce more melatonin, which causes us to sleep more, gives us less energy, and may lead to increased symptoms of depression. During the spring, this changes as our bodies adjust to the longer days. This causes people to have more energy and sleep less, which is important to remember as we enter into the new season.
Another thing that spring brings is in-season fruits and vegetables that you can add to your plate. Visiting the farmers market and gathering organic produce that is in season is a great way to stay healthy and make your shopping trips more fun. Fruits and vegetables that are in season will not only provide better nutrition but overall better flavor, too. In-season produce will not go through the early picking, cooling, and heating process. Some fruits and vegetables that are now in season include strawberries, avocados, lemons, pineapples, spinach, carrots, mushrooms, and artichokes.
Now that the weather is starting to warm, spending more time outdoors is easier and benefits your health in multiple ways. Doing activities outside allows the human body to use all of its senses and uplifts your mood and self-esteem. Walking and running outdoors is even better for you as you will be on uneven surfaces, which helps with your overall balance and coordination. While you are outside, you are able to increase your vitamin D levels which then triggers serotonin to be released in the body and boosts your mood. Vitamin D also has many other health benefits, which include bone and immune health.
Spring is a great time to get your body moving and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. The season brings in-season produce, increased levels of vitamin D and serotonin, and allows you to partake in outdoor activities, which helps improve your overall health. So get outside today and appreciate the spring season while it lasts!
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