Spring: Spring into action to improve your health
As winter starts to fade and spring approaches, take advantage of the new season to improve your health and wellbeing with these six steps.
Sunlight:
Make use of the brighter and longer spring days to spend more time outside soaking up vitamin D from the sunshine. Vitamin D can help improve mood, immunity and reduce negative feelings and emotions. Natural light can also give you a boost in energy.
With the anticipation of longer days and more sunlight also comes an increase in UV exposure which can damage your skin, therefore please consider wearing a minimum factor 30 sunscreen if you are spending time in the sun.
Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.
For more information see: Sunscreen and sun safety - NHS.
Get active and socialise outside:
Spring days are longer, giving more time to be active. Shake off the winter blues by incorporating movement into your daily routine.
Whether it's taking a walk or trying out a new outdoor sport, find activities that you enjoy. Exercise releases endorphins, the body's natural stress relievers, allowing you to de-stress and feel better.
Spring is also an opportunity for gardening, which is a great way to connect and be creative with others, while being active and enjoying the outdoors.
To find free activities and meet other people in your local community, please see Simply Connect Bromley - connecting you to your local community services.
The better weather also provides opportunities to connect with friends and family outside.
Go for a walk together or meet up for a picnic at a local park.
To find your local parks and outdoor spaces see Parks and open spaces – London Borough of Bromley.
Seasonal foods and healthy eating:
There are many seasonal foods to try in spring, full of vitamins and nutrients, these include asparagus, cauliflower and spinach.
Eating healthily and having a balanced diet is beneficial for maintaining a healthy weight and for overall wellbeing.
For more support and advice please visit: Healthy weight.
Allergies:
Spring is also the start of allergy season with an increase in pollen levels as new flowers, grass, and seedlings bloom.
To find out more about hay fever please visit Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis | Allergy UK | National Charity or speak to your local pharmacist for advice.
Practice mindfulness:
As spring brings about new beginnings, take the opportunity to practice mindfulness in your daily life.
Engage in activities that promote present moment awareness, such as meditation, deep breathing, or simply appreciating a cup of tea outdoors.
Mindfulness helps reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and enhance overall wellbeing.
For resources and support based on mindfulness, visit: Mindfulness exercises and tips - Mind.
Sleep:
To aid good sleep, avoid food, caffeine and alcohol near bedtime and try to establish regular sleep patterns.
For more information, resources and support, visit: Fall asleep faster and sleep better - Every Mind Matters - NHS.
Winter: Keeping well in the winter
Staying well this winter:
Viruses such as Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and they can cause serious illness. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you. By getting your Flu and COVID-19 vaccines, it means you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, reducing your risk of being hospitalised. You can check your eligibility and book online through the NHS website or you can speak to your GP surgery.
The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is a virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It is recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79 years.
For advice on keeping well and staying warm in cold weather, covering issues such as healthy lifestyle, heating and financial help: Keeping warm and well: staying safe in cold weather - GOV.UK.
Keep your child well this winter:
Children are particularly vulnerable to winter illnesses. The ‘Keep your child well this winter’ guide is a useful resource for parents to help them manage the season of runny noses, fevers, and germs, and is packed full of advice from the One Bromley Partnership.
Childhood infections like measles and whooping cough are rising. Parents are urged to help protect their children by ensuring they are up to date with their free measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and all other routine childhood immunisations. These vaccinations are crucial in protecting children against preventable diseases.
It is never too late to catch up; speak to your child’s GP if you are unsure or check the NHS childhood vaccines timeline.