Can spring HARM YOUR HEALTH?

Don’t be derailed by changing seasons – these top tips will help you stay on track

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Spring is here – bringing better weather and the chance to shake off those bad winter habits that play havoc with wellbeing. But while now is a great time to eat healthier, move more, be outdoors, and get your sleep back on track, the new season can also cause health niggles to strike – here’s how to handle the switch so you feel at your best.

GET IN THE GARDEN

Gardening boosts strength and fitness, and you get to see the results of your hard work as it comes into bloom – set yourself a target, such as how fast you can mow the lawn.

Beat the clock

When the clocks jump from 1am to 2am on Sunday 27 March, you’ll ‘lose’ an hour’s sleep. This can throw out your sleep pattern. ‘You might find it hard to adjust to the time change as your body clock also has to be reset,’ says sleep expert Sammy Margo. ‘Although it’s only an hour you’re losing, it can take weeks for some people to get back into their routine.’

Sort your sleep: ‘Try moving bedtime a little earlier, by 10 minutes or so, on the days approaching the clock change,’ says Sammy. ‘That way it won’t seem too bad when you lose those minutes.’ To sleep better at night, get into the habit of opening the curtains or blinds in the morning. ‘Exposure to sunlight helps reset your body clock and reinforces the sleep-wake cycle – giving you energy in the day and regulating sleep at night,’ says Sammy.