By Camille Aubin
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If you feel like life has been throwing rocks at you lately, do your best to find some reason to smile back and be grateful for something this week: it’s official, spring has arrived.
The fresh air pushes us out of the door, bringing an increased desire to be outside, throw open our curtains in the morning for a glimpse of that glorious early light, and even opening our front doors and windows to let in the warm breeze and pleasant atmosphere.
The days are getting longer, allowing us to enjoy the pleasures of life for a few more hours. What a great mood booster! These milder temperatures make it possible for us to spend more time outside without freezing our noses, which has incredible effects on our mental health! Research has shown that spending time in nature slows our heart rate, allowing us to relax. Relaxing will do you a world of good and besides, isn’t it a wonderful feeling to enjoy such warm and sunny weather, boosting your mood and memory at the same time? Furthermore, spending time outdoors broadens minds, and helps us gain new knowledge and ideas from our surroundings.
Most animals who migrate south in the winter are moving back here as the temperature rises. Bird lovers say watching these animals brings them happiness. Give it a try; go outside, take a deep breath and try to recognize one of them. Another thing that makes spring so joyous is the return to life of plants and trees, which brings with it fresh colours, scents and a sense of abundance.
It’s amazing what a little bit of sunlight can do for plants. Through photosynthesis, plants transform sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into food, releasing oxygen in the process. Plants pull carbon out of the atmosphere in the spring as they start to grow, providing the environment a highly beneficial service. Isn’t that a great reason to smile?
Another reason? Soon enough, we will have products including fresh fruits and vegetables coming grown here in our valley. What could be better than the sweetness of a strawberry, or the flavour of a tasty juicy tomato… It’s not just satisfying for your body when you eat more greens; it’s also exceptional for your soul.
And to top it all off with the good news, Dr. Henry Bonnie recently added a cherry on top of the sundae: we can finally spend quality time with our loved ones outdoors (up to ten people), as long as we respect the Public Health Guidelines.
