The more extreme weather that ravages summer and winter, the more we appreciate the comparably moderate temperatures of spring and fall. But if the weather isn’t enough to lift your spirits after a long, cold winter season, here are six more reasons to celebrate spring.

• Less crime: Research has found that robberies drop 27% during daylight saving time’s extra hour of sunlight and fall by 7% throughout the entire day.

• Boosts creativity: A University of Michigan study found that spending more time outdoors in milder weather broadens our minds and opens the door to heightened creativity.

• Reduces carbon emissions: As foliage returns in springtime, plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into food, thereby releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. So plants help absorb those nasty carbon emissions that can contribute to extreme weather changes.

• Open windows: You might think opening windows leads to allergies, but scientists say the lack of ventilation inside a home can lead to an unhealthy concentration of indoor pollutants, such as the nitrogen oxide produced by gas-burning (or other) stoves, ovens, water heaters and fireplaces.

• Flowers bloom: Studies have found that looking at flowers can actually make you feel happy. That’s why we give flowers to hospital patients; it helps people feel more positive, reduces anxiety, and has both immediate and long-term effects.

• Fresh food: Spring produces an abundance of fresh produce for your dining pleasure, from fresh salad greens and asparagus to radishes, rhubarb, apricots and strawberries.

1 MentalFloss.com. March 20, 2018. “15 Scientific Reasons Spring Is the Most Delightful Season.” https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/55573/15-scientific-reasons-spring-most-delightful-season. Accessed Dec. 5, 2019.

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