Goodbye, winter! Birds are chirping and the Flowers are blooming. All the things we love about spring are surprisingly good for us, too, so as you pack up your winter coat for next year, check out our favorite reasons to be excited about the new season.
- Extra daylight. Springing forward for daylight saving time feels rough the day after, but once you’re recovered from a night or two of sleep deprivation, the benefits are far-reaching. In addition to giving us more time to spend outdoors and serving as a natural mood booster, that extra hour of light may help reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. Multiple studies, including one published recently, have found that daylight saving time prevents automobile accidents because daylight provides better visibility for motorists.
- A spring-cleaned diet. Sweep the cobwebs about of your cold-weather diet with a dose of fresh spring produce. Peas, asparagus, kale, radicchio, and rhubarb are just a few of the fresh foods that reach their peak during spring. Chances are, you’ll find yourself wanting to eat less during warmer weather than you did during the dark winter months, so use your body’s natural cravings as a way to focus on filling up with whole, fresh foods.
- Outdoor exercise. If the excuse is winter is too cold and summer is too hot, spring is just right for outdoor exercise, which according to a study can actually improve your mental and physical well-being better than an indoor sweat session. Whether it’s an after-dinner walk or an early-morning run, longer days and moderate temperatures are perfect reasons to take your workout outside.
- No more winter skin. Gone are the freezing temps and harsh winds that wreak havoc on your skin — and summer’s heat hasn’t yet arrived to turn up the frizz factor.
- A healthier home. During warmer weather, open your windows and let the sunshine in while you spring clean and organize your home. Not only will a more streamlined space help you feel more in control of your day-to-day life, it could also make you fitter. Researchers found that the owners of tidy homes are more likely to be physically fit than those who live in messy environments.