Wave goodbye to the winter months and welcome in the start of Spring! March brings a change of season brought on by the spring equinox which means our hemisphere starts to tilt more towards the sun which results in more daylight hours. This change also means slightly higher temperatures and brighter weather, which means exciting news after the cold winter months it should quite literally put a spring in your step!
New data from a survey commissioned by Living Streets found that 68% of the UK population walk for at least 20 minutes a day for exercise or leisure. Even though this is an improvement, more strides can be taken to encourage walking into our daily routine. With more daylight hours there are more opportunities to get outside for a stroll.
Walking outside can be a great social activity so bringing a friend, colleague or family member on a daily walk can encourage you to set a time to meet and go for a wander. Essex is blessed with some amazing countryside and there are plenty of green spaces you can access for free such as parks, back gardens and village greens. Exploring a new area can be the best way to include a walk into your day as you can find paths and routes around Essex that uncover areas you had not visited before.
Lighter evenings can also bring a feeling of safety. The ONS released a statistic that estimated 49% of women do not feel safe walking alone after night fall. Of course, this feeling of wariness when walking in the dark is not limited to women, so the lighter evenings can mean a greater sense of safety when enjoying the outdoors in the later hours. This could mean more opportunities to enjoy parks, outdoor gyms and active travel.
Active travel is an amazing way to enjoy the spring weather, add physical activity into your routine and do your bit for the planet! Whether it’s walking, scooting, running or cycling, find a way to improve your travel plans and enjoy the benefits. Finding a safe route can be the first step. Plan to travel through a local park or green space to also take in the vibrant spring colours and new life brought on by the change of season.
Change is all around us in the month of March as spring is a glorious time for nature. The first sign in the change of season is the leaves emerging from oak, birch and rowan trees which are followed by the first flowers of spring like snowdrops and bluebells. Vibrant colours and warmer weather should encourage more time spent in the open air.
Getting outdoors in the spring sunshine isn’t limited to walking. Spring can be the perfect time to start planting seasonal vegetables so you can harvest your own food. In the current cost of living crisis, it is important to understand how to maintain a healthy lifestyle on a budget. The best vegetables to plant in spring are beans, lettuce, carrots and beetroot which make a great salad once harvested! Gardening is a great outdoor activity, promoting movement whilst reducing stress and anxiety and it can be enjoyed by young children and older residents alike as there are no age restrictions when it comes to being green fingered.
Spring is a time for renewal, so make it your March mission to set yourself new challenges and get outdoors!
For more information on Essex walks go to:
https://www.essexhighways.org/getting-around/public-rights-of-way/essex-walks
For more information about finding an activity near you, use our activity finder here:
