Spring is here! Why do we love it so much?

Sometimes it feels like winter’s icy grip will stay with us forever. When you’re in the midst of the dark, wet, cold days of January and February, Christmas is forgotten and you leave for work in the dark (after de‐icing the car of course) and then come home in the dark; warmth and light seem a long way off. And yet here we are, on the cusp of spring, with warmth and light all around us. No wonder everyone loves the spring.

But why exactly do we love it? Sunshine and daylight play a huge part. Exposure to the extra sunlight increases levels of the hormone serotonin – the happy hormone – making you feel good. Furthermore, you may find you have more energy in the spring. This is because the extra sunlight decreases your levels of melatonin (the sleep chemical) during the day and increases it during the night, allowing you to get a sounder, more restful night’s rest.

And the birdsong is ramping up. The extra daylight affects the birds too – a chemical change takes place in their brains, releasing hormones which prepare them for breeding. This triggers a territorial response in the birds, meaning we are treated to the incredible sounds of the dawn chorus. The first bird to sing in the morning is usually the blackbird, followed closely by that ever‐singing favourite, the robin, then wrens, chaffinches, song thrushes, warblers and finches all join the party.
Interestingly, the exact same chemical change happens in people too – perhaps leading to the much loved “spring cleaning” tradition – the human equivalent of nesting.

So enjoy the birds, the insects, the light, warmth and colour of spring, clean down the barbecue, cut the grass and prepare yourselves for the long, glorious warmth of those lazy days of summer!

Jon Simmonds