Spring into Life

SPRING HAS SPRUNG‌ With spring now upon us, the change in weather can affect your health.

Photo: Supplied.

Can the change to spring affect your health?

AT this time of the year, the weather is predictably unpredictable. Summer is mostly hot and winter is mostly cold. But spring can be either, on successive days or even in the space of a few hours.

At least half of all adults claim to experience changes in their health with the changing weather, including more frequent

headaches, joint pain, tiredness and even catching more colds.

Of course colds are caused by viruses, not the weather, but as the air temperature and humidity changes around us, so does the feeling of stuffiness of our nose.

Even though the nose does not actually block, hotter and humid air will make it

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feel more congested, like when you are in the shower. But once you step out, the blast of colder less humid air makes the nose suddenly feel more open, creating that freshening sensation in our head. The same thing happens in reverse when we step from the air-conditioned, cool indoors into the humid heat outside, making our head feel stuffy.

People prone to headaches report more episodes in changeable spring weather than in summer or winter.

Our skin uses the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight to make vitamin D, which also has important vital functions for health and wellbeing.

Sunny weather also puts us closer to our comfort zone at around 20 degrees celsius when we neither need to sweat to keep cool

or move/shiver to keep warm. The hotter we get above this or the lower we go the less comfortable we feel. This plays on our emotions and the health that results from them.

Pollen and dust carried by spring northerly winds that whip them up act as an irritant to eyes, noses and lungs, especially, but not only, in those with allergies.

The moist air associated with seasonal thunderstorms can also concentrate and break up pollen and pollution into smaller particles which are more easily inhaled deep into the lungs and trigger asthma attacks. Warm and moist conditions also promote the release of fungal spores which can set off allergies in some people.

H

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Spring vegetable and quinoa salad with bacon Preparation Time: 18 Mins | Total Time: 26 Mins | Serves 4 (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients: • 2 1/2 cups fresh asparagus, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces • 1/2 cup frozen green peas • 3 centre-cut bacon slices, chopped • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter • 2 teaspoons wholegrain Dijon mustard • 1 3/4 cups gingercoconut quinoa • 1 teaspoon black pepper • 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves • 5 ounces baby spinach • 3 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

Method: 1. Bring a large saucepan filled with water to the boil. Add asparagus and peas and boil for two minutes. Drain. Plunge into a bowl of ice water and drain.

2. Cook the bacon over mediumhigh heat for four minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add vinegar, butter and Dijon mustard to drippings in pan, stirring with a whisk until the butter melts. Add quinoa and pepper to the pan and cook for one minute. Place quinoa mixture in a medium bowl and add the asparagus mixture, parsley, tarragon, thyme, and spinach, tossing to combine.

3. Divide quinoa mixture among four plates; sprinkle evenly with reserved bacon and almonds.

How spring cleaning can be good for your health SPRING is in the air and that means it is time to start thinking about spring cleaning. Whether you love it or hate it, spring cleaning actually has some benefits to your health and wellbeing, and can make a big difference in how you feel for the rest of the year.

Increases productivity Making the effort to de-clutter and organise your home or office can save you a lot of time looking for or replacing lost items in the future. Organisation experts say that this makes you more productive, while the cleaning process itself can increase energy levels.

Healthy A good spring clean can help you avoid allergy symptoms. Removing allergens from the home can make you feel healthier, especially at a time when allergies are rife.

Makes you happy Taking the time to thoroughly clean and maintain a tidy home makes people happier, studies have shown. The act of

cleaning provides a sense of satisfaction, which in turn can put you in a good mood.

Reduces stress Cleaning and organising your personal spaces lets you enjoy a tidier and more organised environment and this can relieve stress. Levels of stress can also be reduced during the act itself as cleaning is considered to be therapeutic.

Helps you focus Those who make a point of clearing out the clutter once in a while are able to free up the brain for more essential decisionmaking. A thorough clean helps to clear your mind of things that need to be done around the house and makes it easier to focus on other more important things.

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