6 Healthy Reasons to Love Spring

Spring is in the air! If the warmer weather isn't reason enough to celebrate, these surprising health benefits will put an extra spring in your step.

Goodbye, long winter! Birds are chirping. Flowers are blooming. Love is in the air. When spring hits, it’s hard to feel down in the dumps. Add longer days and the return of short sleeves to the mix, and you just might find yourself wishing that spring would last forever. The good news is that 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.

1. 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 in the Journal of Economic Analysis and Policy, have found that daylight saving time prevents automobile accidents because daylight provides better visibility for motorists.
2. A healthier home. During warmer weather, open your windows and let the sunshine in while you spring clean, declutter, 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 at Indiana University found that the owners of tidy homes are more likely to be physically fit than those who live in messy environments.Plus, a little elbow grease can torch serious calories. According to Everyday Health’s My Calorie Counter, a 150-pound person can burn 133 calories in 30 minutes of vigorous cleaning.
3. 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.
4. Outdoor exercise. If winter is too cold and summer is too hot, spring is just right for outdoor exercise, which according to a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, can actually improve your mental and physical well-being better than an indoor sweat session. Whether it’s an after-dinner walk, an adult rec league, or an early-morning run, longer days and moderate temperatures are perfect reasons to take your workout outside.
5. No more winter skin. Gone are the freezing temps and harsh winds that wreak havoc on your skin and hair — and summer’s heat hasn’t yet arrived to turn up the frizz factor. It can be tempting to skip moisturizing once you no longer feel like you need it, but remember that sun protection with a daily SPF of at least 15 is essential year-round.
6. Spring break! Have you taken a break yet? Whether spring vacation means a beachside getaway or a relaxing staycation, taking time off at the end of winter has definite health benefits. In 2009, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh confirmed that leisure activities — whether at home or away — can reduce risks for diseases such as breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as help manage stress long-term.

Source : www.everydayhealth.com