Spring means warmer weather, brighter days, and with daylight savings time now in effect, we’re going to have more of those daylight hours, too! After a long winter, this extra daylight can do wonders for our mood and our health, so now is the time to really make the most of it and embrace every minute of this additional sunshine.

More sun, better mood
Give those winter blues the heave-ho! Research has shown that incidents of depression increase over winter, so if you’re one of the people who suffer from seasonal depression or even just feel a little flat after those gloomy months (aka, nearly everyone), that extra hour of sunlight can do a world of good.

Get that good sleep
It can take a little while to adjust your sleeping patterns to the new daylight savings hours. But, once you’re in the rhythm, you might actually find you’re sleeping better than ever! Increased exposure to sunlight can boost your body’s production of melatonin — a hormone that can help make you feel sleepy.

Ready to go out there and get some sun? Here are some of our favourite ways to make the most of that extra hour of daylight:

Take your workout out
You’ve probably been sweating it out in the gym all winter, so now’s the time to take it out into the fresh air. Switching it up will energize your work out and you’ll get to enjoy the extra sunlight and changing of the season.

Read in the park
Whether you’ve got a great book, a magazine, or even a podcast to listen to, take it outdoors! Leisure time activities can be even more enjoyable when they’re coupled with fresh air and sunshine, so head to your nearest park and find a leafy tree to sprawl under.

Alfresco meals
It might be a little early for a summer BBQ, but now is a great time for lunch or a late afternoon snack outside. Grab some street food, a sandwich from your nearest deli, or put together a picnic spread to share with friends.