By Sandra Queiroz
This year, 2025, we welcome the arrival of spring on Thursday, March 20th.
This is the beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.
The calendar of the equinox shifts every year between 20 or 21 (and sometimes on the 19 if it’s a leap year).
During this date we also celebrate the International Day of Happiness, a concept established by the United Nations in 2012.
The aim of establishing an International Day of Happiness is to remind people of the importance of happiness in their lives.
This year the theme is ‘Happier Together’ – at a time of uncertainty and conflict this theme reminds us of the value of feeling connected with others and being part of something bigger.
What is the Spring Equinox?
In the Northern Hemisphere the spring equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from south to north – this is called the vernal equinox, because it signals the beginning of spring (vernal means new or fresh like the spring) .
Equinox means ‘equal night’, since the length of day and night is mostly equal in all parts of the world during the equinoxes.
In most locations the daylight has been increasing every day since the winter solstice and after the spring equinox some locations will experience more daylight than darkness in each 24-hour day.
The amount of daylight each day will continue to increase until the summer solstice (June) when the longest period of daylight occurs.
That magical time of year when nature re-awakens
As you step outside you can see the first signs of colour in flowers and shrubs.
The dark silhouettes of trees that we got used to in winter time burst into vibrant green leaves.
Similar to busy ants, we can start cleaning our gardens of winter debris, preparing our garden beds, planting bulbs and start growing seeds indoors.
Along with the vegetation and the warming temperatures, the pollinator population that feeds off them grows too.
The first queen bumblebees emerge from their hibernation around March, butterflies and creepy crawlies start to emerge too.
For us humans, with longer days and warmer temperatures, everything becomes more accessible.
We wake full of energy and with a new zest for action, like if we were waking from hibernation.
It feels good to be outdoors again, to be with friends and family and enjoy the weather.
Self-care ideas to refresh your mind and body during spring
Spend time outdoors: what a better way to take advantage of the nice weather and longer days than spending time in nature?
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association spending time in nature has been shown to boost mood and improve cognitive function. So step outside every day, even if it is to drink your morning coffee.
Practice mindfulness: be in the present moment and fully engage in what you’re doing. You can do this by practicing meditation, yoga or just taking a few deep breaths and focusing on your senses.
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But you can also achieve mindfulness wherever you are so why not go for a walk and take notice of your surroundings, noticing the environment changing around you – listen to the birds; feel the breeze touching your skin and the warmth of sun on your face; watch the greenery flourishing again with its vibrant colours; experience the aroma of the flowers around you.
Socialise outside: spring is a great time to connect with family and friends. And rather than staying indoors go for a picnic in the park, for a bike ride or a walk.
Get moving: there’s so many ways of staying active while outside. Find something you enjoy such as going for a walk while you listen to your favourite playlist or podcast, swimming, hiking, cycling or exercise in the park. Or you can keep your body moving while being creative by trying out some gardening.
Spring is all about renewal and what better way to embrace it than dedicating some time for yourself? From being outdoors socialising to dedicating some quiet time for yourself, these ideas can help you feel refreshed and ready for what comes next.
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