Step into spring! 4 things that will boost your wellbeing this season

It’s been a long time coming but now that the clocks have sprung forward to British Summer Time we’re finally jumping into spring! In nature it’s a time of renewal – and this reviving energy is contagious, helping revive our bodies and minds.

This new season has all the ingredients for a healthier, happier you. Here are four ways that spring can boost your wellbeing…

Longer daylight hours

Darkness at 4pm is now behind us (hoorah!), at least for another few months, and we can languish in longer, lighter days. Not only do lighter evenings encourage us to venture outside for longer and to socialise more (both mood boosters), but exposing your eyes to sunlight (never directly) promotes the production of serotonin, the ‘feel good’ hormone, and melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep.

Sunlight is also a good source of vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, reducing inflammation, regulating mood and supporting your immune system. Just five to 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight can help reap the benefits (although don’t forget the sunscreen, even on cloudy spring days).

SHOP POSIE

Birdsong is in abundance

It’s breeding season in the natural world and the birds are in full song. Researchers in California discovered that just seven to 10 minutes of listening to birdsong, even in a recorded form, boosted wellbeing. A separate study led by King’s College London also found that encountering birds within natural settings helped alleviate depression.

So, take your morning coffee out into the garden, or remove your earbuds or headphones when you’re next walking through a woodland or park and listen to the birds. ‘Early birds’ should set their alarms for International Dawn Chorus Day on 5^th May 2024 when beautiful morning birdsong is due to be at its peak.

Spring flowers are blooming

Almost every other spring week delivers a spectacular new floral sight – cherry blossom, magnolias, tulips, bluebells… And your camera roll is probably as full as ever! Noticing and appreciating these (sometimes fleeting) moments makes us happier for a number of reasons: we spend more time in green spaces, which many studies conclude is brilliant for our wellbeing; and we are brought into the ‘now’, living in the moment and not ruminating on the past or worrying about the future.

It also encourages us to get busy in the garden – weeds to clear, seeds to sow, plants to tend to, all activities that keep us active and outside in the fresh air. It’s widely accepted that gardening is also a wonderful form of therapy – numerous studies have found it can help reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood and boost memory retention. The gardening gurus at the RHS have all the details on the power of gardening.

SHOP GEORGIA

Anyone working in industries such as tourism or weddings may beg to disagree here but, for many, spring is littered with opportunities for time off – be it the Easter fortnight, spring half term or one of the four bank holidays. Even if you manage only one day off here and there, it’s a welcome respite from the stresses of work or school routines.

The Dutch concept of ‘niksen’, literally translated as “to do nothing”

Taking time out for hobbies, socialising or exercise are all excellent wellbeing boosters. Or, how about doing absolutely nothing? The Dutch concept of ‘niksen’, literally translated as “to do nothing”, is trending again as a quick and simple way to destress, increase focus and even promote creativity. The human brain is said to produce up to 60,000 thoughts a day, with most of those thoughts being negative or repetitive. Switching off, even for just a few minutes, is instantly calming and allows the mind to wander – something that scientists believe can promote creative thinking and help us solve knotty problems.

MIA COMING SOON

Spring is also a great time to refresh your ‘bra-drobe’

Of course, a bit more spring leisure time means you can get your underwear drawer in order for the new season. Here are Royce’s top tips for a ‘bra-drobe’ spring refresh:

• Firstly, ensure you’re wearing the correct sized bra and are not stretching the fabric in all the wrong places. Follow our fitting advice and interrogate every bra in your underwear drawer.
• Avoid stuffing worn bras, particularly sweaty sports bras, into a dark drawer – this is a breeding ground for bacteria! Dedicate adequate drawer space allowing room for all bras so they don’t end up squished, misshapen and damaged. Stack moulded cup bras against each other to help maintain the shape.
• Keep drawers (and the rest of your wardrobe) smelling fresh and free from moths by using natural repellents such as mint leaves, cedarwood rings or cotton wool soaked in a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil.
• Clear out any old bras that have overstretched straps, fraying trims and a baggy fastening. These can be recycled at any textile recycling bank or check with your local council for more options. At Royce we’ve been working with the charity Against Breast Cancer for years. With their textile recovery partners, they ensure old bras are either donated to small businesses in Africa for upcycling, or disposed of properly. Drop your worn-out bras into any of their bra banks or send by post (more details here).