10 Reasons Why Spring Is The Best Season

Summer, winter, and fall may all have their fans, but spring is clearly the favorite of the four seasons. Unsure? Here are 10 reasons why spring is the best season.

1. You can go out.

Warmer temperatures mean you can spend more time outside without freezing your feet off, which is good for your mental health. Throughout the season, research has found that walking in nature can lower your heart rate and make you feel more relaxed, but some research suggests that there’s something special about spring’s effects on your brain. A 2005 study from the University of Michigan linked spending 30 minutes or more outside in warm, sunny spring weather to higher mood and better memory. But the effect reverses when spring ends, because being outside on the hottest days of summer is usually uncomfortable.

2. FRIENDLY TEMPERATURE.

Spring marks the end of the blistering season and the transition period to scorching summer. In many places, the season brings mild temperatures in the 60s and 70s. People tend to be most comfortable at about 72°F, research shows, so the arrival of spring means you can shed those heavy winter layers and still be comfortable.

3. THERE ARE OTHERS, LOVE.

After the spring equinox, the days start to get longer and the nights get shorter. Daylight Savings Time, which moves the clocks forward from March, gives us a lighter hour to make up for it. That extra hour of sun can be a major mood-booster, according to some research. A 2016 study of counseling students at Brigham Young University found that the longer the sun rises during the day, the less mental difficulties people experience.

4. YOU ARE SAFE.

In 2015, a pair of public policy researchers discovered a hidden upside to the “bounce forward” for Daylight Saving Time. It reduces crime. When the sun sets later in the evening, the study is published on Economic and Statistical Review found, the rate of robbery fell. After Daylight Saving Time began in the spring, there was a 27 percent drop in robberies during the extra hours of afternoon sunlight, and a 7 percent drop during the entire day.

5. IT MAKES YOU MORE CREATIVE.

The same University of Michigan study found that spending time outside in sunny spring weather not only improves mood, but can change the way people think. Researchers found that being outdoors broadened the participants’ minds, making them more open to new information and creative thinking.

6. THE BIRDS RETURN.

Many animals migrate south during winter, then move north when temperatures rise. For relatively northern regions, there is no better indicator of spring than birds chirping outside the window. The northern migration can start in mid-February and last until June, which means that in the spring, you can expect a large influx of birds. Besides the satisfaction of ticking off a species from your bird checklist, seeing more of your feathered friends can make you happy. In 2017, a British study found that the more birds you can see in your environment, the better your mental health.

7. RETURN BUILDING.

Spring brings green growth back to plants and trees. Depending on where you live, trees may start to sport new leaves as early as March. This successful spring leaf growth ensures a cool canopy to relax in during the summer – a very important factor in keeping the city comfortable. According to researchers, vegetation plays a big role in reducing the urban heat island effect. When trees release water back into the air through evapotranspiration, it can cool the surrounding area by up to 9°F, according to the EPA.

8. PLANTS ABSORB CARBON DIOXIDE.

It’s amazing what a little sun can do for plants and grass. Through photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into food, releasing oxygen in the process. That means when plants start growing in the spring, they pull carbon out of the atmosphere, providing an important environmental service. Plants take up about 25 percent of human-produced carbon emissions, absorbing more than 100 gigatons of carbon through photosynthesis each growing season. Because of this, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere decreases every spring and summer. (Unfortunately, it increases in winter, when many plants do not grow).

9. YOU CAN EXERCISE REGULARLY.

While it’s important to keep moving no matter what the weather, research shows that getting outside can be more beneficial if you do it outside. A 2011 study found that, compared to indoor exercise, exercising outdoors in nature increases energy levels, makes people feel revitalized, and reduces tension, among other positive effects. Those who work out in the fresh air also tend to say that they enjoy the experience more and will do it again, suggesting that using nature as a gym can help you stick to your exercise regimen. While these benefits may last through the winter, it’s easier to think about running once the weather warms up.

10. EASY TO GET FRESH PRODUCTS.

Many vegetables and some fruits are harvested in the spring. ‘Tis the season to get local asparagus, greens, peas, rhubarb, and other fresh produce. Getting more fruits and vegetables into your diet is not only good for your body; it is good for the soul. A 2016 study of more than 12,000 Australians found that when people increased the amount of fruit and vegetables in their diet, they felt happier and had higher levels of life satisfaction. If they increase their intake by eight servings a day (a tall order, we know) the psychological benefits are the same as the change in people’s well-being when they go from being unemployed to having a job, the researchers found.

We could go on and on about why spring is the best season. Let us know why you think Spring is the best season or why it’s your favorite in the comments section.