20th March or March equinox, otherwise known as the vernal equinox, effectively marks the beginning of astronomical spring and the end of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere. (Cue for the UK to burst into a collective cheer of hope). Spring, we’ve missed you.

The feeling of warmer air, daffodils sprouting and blossom buds blooming, the days feel longer and you’re no longer getting home from work in the dark of night. There’s no feeling quite like it when spring starts to bloom.  There’s just something about Spring that gets a renewed sense of hope growing in all of us.  Spring is often associated with new beginnings and growth, which can provide a sense of hope and optimism for the future.  It's no surprise that the change of seasons from Winter to Spring does wonders for our mental health, and this is down to a few key things.

Why is Spring so good for our mental health?

Increased exposure to sunlight:

During spring, the days start to get longer and the sun shines more often. This can have a positive effect on mental health, as exposure to sunlight triggers the production of vitamin D, which is a vital self-made vitamin which contributes to maintaining a healthy mood.  Vitamin D is the only vitamin the body can produce itself, and the only way it can do this is by exposure to the sun’s rays (safely).  This also means seeing out the period of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) where sufferers experience feelings of low mood and depression due to the low levels of sunlight.

Improved sleep:

The increase in sunlight can also help regulate circadian rhythms, which we will expand on a bit further below.  More daylight can actually improve sleep quality and help reduce symptoms of insomnia.  Lack of sleep is a huge problem, with 1 in 5 people in the UK not getting enough sleep*, it can have a heavy impact on your mental health and can start to negatively affect your day to day life: Struggling to regulate emotions, your ability to concentrate and performance can become impaired.  So ensuring quality sleep should always be a top priority.  Try adding CBD to your night-time routine to support a deep and restful sleep.  We recommend our 1200mg CBD oil drops, which is our best selling CBD oil.

Increased physical activity:

Spring weather encourages people to get outside and be more active, whether it's going for a walk, hiking, or doing outdoor sports. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and doing it outside in nature is one of the best things you can do for your mental health and wellbeing.  Spring weather provides an opportunity to spend time outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty that comes with the season; the cherry blossom on trees, the bluer skies and greener lands.

Reduced Stress:

Being in nature and exposure to green spaces has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower blood pressure, which can help promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.  Nature can provide a respite from the constant stimulation of modern life including the noise, screens, and demands of daily life. The tranquillity of natural environments can help to clear the mind, reduce mental fatigue, and improve mood.

Enhanced social connections:

Spring weather often leads to more social opportunities, such as picnics, barbeques, walks  and outdoor events. This can provide an opportunity for people to connect with others and spend quality social time together after months of winter hibernation.  Pub gardens calling!

So why is natural daylight so important?

Circadian rhythm refers to the natural, internal biological process that regulates the 24-hour cycle of physical, mental, and behavioural changes in living organisms, including humans. These rhythms are driven by an internal "biological clock" located in the hypothalamus of the brain, which responds to environmental cues such as light and darkness.

The circadian rhythm influences many bodily functions, including sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, digestion, and body temperature. Disruptions to the circadian rhythm can lead to a range of health problems, including sleep disorders, depression, and metabolic disorders.

In humans, the circadian rhythm is typically synchronised with the 24-hour day through exposure to natural light and dark cycles. However, disruptions to the natural light-dark cycle, such as those experienced during travel across time zones, night shift work, or general daylight exposure during darker winter months, can lead to desynchronization of the circadian rhythm, leading to various health issues, including insomnia.

Tips to revitalise the mind and body as we head into spring

Spring Cleaning

If there was ever a clue to have a good clean, the clue is the name “spring clean”!  According to Yoga District, the origin of the term “spring clean” traces back to nearly 3000 years ago, where in Persian culture, it is a spring tradition to “shake the house”, known as khaneh tekani.  It was believed that sweeping up dust and removing clutter from one’s home would prevent ill-fortune in the year ahead.  So get the dustpan and brush out and bring on the good-fortune for the rest of the year ahead!

Plan a health regime (and stick to it!)

With the feeling of new beginnings and change, there is no time like now to take control of your health.  Make the conscious choice to start to include more whole plant foods in your diet and really be aware of the nutrients and goodness you’re putting into your body.  You may soon start to notice improvements in your gut health - perhaps less bloating, less acid reflux, or more regular bowel movements.  Support your health and wellbeing by including a daily CBD intake and reap the benefits of supporting your physical and mental health and wellbeing.  One of the easiest ways to include CBD in your diet is through a daily tasty treat! So we recommend trying our 20mg CBD Jelly Domes, which are vegan and gluten free and a very simple way to get an accurate dose of 20mg each time.  

Exercise outside

Now that the weather has taken a turn for the better, it’s time to get outside.  Being in fresh air and absorbing natural daylight and breathing in oxygen contributes to your circadian rhythm, meaning you will be buzzing with life during the daylight hours, and setting yourself up for a deep and long sleep during the night.  Exercise does wonders for your feel-good-factor and is a natural way to super-boost your mood by releasing naturally endorphins, a natural hormone produced by the body when we experience pleasure or pain.

Growth and nurture in nature

Spring is the time of the year for buds to start to flourish and for growth to be seen.  If you have a garden or balcony, maybe you could give it a spring clean, get into the gardening spirit and pot some plants and watch them flourish over the coming months.  If you don’t have a space to grow your own, take a trip to one of many stunning cherry blossom spaces in London.

And if all of the above isn’t good enough, there’s more!  Recent research carried out by Travelbag found that London has soared to first place in their recent research which compiled hashtag usage data on Instagram. It looked for information in over 170 destinations worldwide, and London pipped to the post coming in at first place with #springinlondon being used in over 100,000 instagram posts, making London the most scenic destination in Spring.  Paris came in at second place with around 79,000 uses of #springinparis.  So it’s official, London has been crowned the most scenic city in the world during Spring time.

*Sleep and mental health - Mental Health UK (mentalhealth-uk.org)