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Spring has finally sprung and most people will be able to feel the change already in their bodies and psyche.

Remember that no matter how sophisticated we think we may be and how modern our modern lives get – we’re still only animals at the end of the day. Consequently, we’re still subject to all the same primeval instincts that our forefathers were – and which have evolved over millions of years. And when it comes to spring – there is no greater natural awakening time for our bodies.

Once we get this side of the Spring Equinox – the date when the sun passes directly over the equator and, for a moment, day and night are exactly the same length, our bodies begin to respond in the way nature programmes them to. And this has implications for everything we do, and perhaps most notably our health and fitness. Simply put, there is no better time to try and put a spring in our steps than the spring – because we’re in tune with what our bodies are encouraging us to do anyway.

Ironically, the New Year is more often the time when people make health and fitness resolutions, but spring is a better time because of our natural awakenings. It is for the same reasons that people undertake home restorations and spring cleaning at this time of year, but it may also be a good time to spring clean your body.

What’s really happening in spring is that our bodies are responding naturally to the amount of light they are getting – which causes, literally, an “awakening”. The opposite effect can be seen in the “SAD” or seasonally affective disorder.  One study from 2001 from the “Archives of General Psychiatry” proved that people experiencing SAD naturally produced more of the melatonin hormone during longer winter nights than in the summer. This is a natural effect amongst we mammals – causing seasonal behavioural changes. This hormone regulates our sleep patterns and is sometimes known as the “hormone of darkness”, but too much of it is not good for our happiness levels. In spring and summer, of course, the reverse is true – and our bodies are responding to changes in the earth’s weather patterns and, specifically, the lighter, longer days. We naturally feel more energetic.

Genetic studies have also demonstrated that certain genes are more active in the winter. These genes are there to fight infection, to which we are more prone in cold weather, but they can also have a deleterious effect on our bodies and are believed to trigger or exacerbate certain conditions, including arthritis, as the body is effectively attacking itself.

Overall, it makes sense from a health perspective to try and mirror the psychological and physical changes being experienced in our bodies as spring arrives, to boost our health if we can. This is a time when we see an increase in our overall vitality – including our sexual appetite which is, of course, mirrored in nature when this time of year is the natural time for breeding for most animals. So it makes sense to use this awakening in our drive to better health and fitness – so why not put a spring in your step and get ready for the beach this summer!?

An amazing 81,594 people completed a UK parkrun over the weekend, thanks to 8,367 awesome volunteers! #loveparkrun pic.twitter.com/dnOEJ0GeeM

— parkrunUK (@parkrunUK) April 4, 2016