How the shift into Spring can positively impact your wellbeing Jayne Marcar Langley Park School for Girls

Due to the increase in daylight hours we experience when the clocks change in March, we have more light hours to get our everyday errands completed. This leads to an increase in our motivation whilst simultaneously, our productivity levels.

In addition, for many of us, the extended daylight in Spring boosts our mood, wellbeing and energy levels. This ideology is supported by psychologists’ theory that an increase in dopamine levels stems from the increase in sunlight. Therefore, this highlights how humans gain an increase in dopamine from the dark, Winter season to the Spring. In basic terms, dopamine is  a bodily hormone specialising in pleasure and satisfaction, so we get a greater sense of fulfillment in Spring than in Winter.

Our energy levels also rise significantly from Winter to Spring. This is due to our body recognising the increase in light, causing our Pineal Gland to trigger the reduction of melatonin secretion. Melatonin is referred to as the ‘ sleep hormone’, hence the reduction of melatonin leaves us feeling more lively.

Another positive for the upcoming Spring season is the sense of hope it sparks in people. Factors like increased diversity in animals- due to many coming out of hibernation as well as more animal births- and the growth of nature, makes our surrounding environment a much happier setting. When we are surrounded by nature, it increases our psychological resistance to hardships, as well as boosting our immune system. 

Overall, the extra sunlight in Spring offers us more Vitamin D, boosting our happy hormone, serotonin, which has a positive impact on our wellbeing. The brighter weather also increases our social opportunities and encourages us to go outside more, which lowers our heart rate which can reduce stress and anxiety.

With these factors combined, we see a positive shift in our mental health during Spring and Summer, greatly deserved after the darker months previously.