Spring is on the Way! Step Outside and Boost Your Mood

February and the Approach of Spring: Embrace the Outdoors During Perimenopause

As February unfolds and the first hints of spring appear, it’s the perfect time to embrace the outdoors. Spending time outside during perimenopause can have a remarkable impact on wellbeing, offering a simple yet powerful way to support mental health during this transitional phase. Exposure to green spaces has long been recognised for its ability to reduce anxiety and stress, two challenges often linked to hormonal changes.

Even brief walks in natural settings can lift mood, promote calmness, and provide a welcome break from mental overload. The sights, sounds, and scents of the outdoors create a rich sensory experience that encourages mindfulness, helping to ease irritability or low mood. Research also suggests that spending time in nature can enhance serotonin production, the neurotransmitter that regulates emotion, making outdoor time a practical strategy for navigating perimenopause with greater ease and positivity.

Incorporating outdoor activities into daily life doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple habits—walking in a local park, gardening, or practising yoga outside—can support mental health and provide gentle physical exercise, which benefits hormone regulation. Group activities, such as community gardening or hiking, add a social element that further boosts emotional wellbeing. Its the time of year when all clubs and societies are seeking out new recruits. So get out there and join up!

By actively seeking opportunities to connect with nature, individuals can enhance their overall mental health, manage perimenopause symptoms more effectively, and embrace this transitional period with greater confidence and positivity.

The Role of Sunlight and Vitamin D

Sunlight exposure plays a significant role in maintaining hormonal balance and mood stability, particularly during the transitional phase of perimenopause. When skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from natural sunlight, it synthesises vitamin D, a crucial nutrient that regulates multiple biological functions. Adequate levels of vitamin D support not only mood but also play an essential role in bone health, which is particularly important as women experience a decline in estrogen levels throughout perimenopause.

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various symptoms that can exacerbate the challenges of perimenopause, including mood fluctuations, feelings of fatigue, and increased emotional distress. Research suggests that women experiencing low levels of vitamin D may report heightened feelings of irritability and depression. Therefore, ensuring sufficient exposure to sunlight can significantly impact overall wellbeing during this transitional stage. This indicates that integrating safe sun exposure into daily routines could serve as a natural remedy for managing perimenopausal symptoms.

While various factors such as location, season, and skin type affect the ability to synthesise vitamin D from sunlight, it is advisable to aim for around 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure several times a week. It is essential, however, to practice sun safety to mitigate the risk of skin damage, which can occur with prolonged exposure to UV rays. Wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen after the initial sun exposure period can help safeguard skin health while reaping the benefits of natural light.

In addition to getting sunlight, a balanced diet and targeted supplements can help maintain optimal vitamin D levels, supporting overall wellbeing during perimenopause. By prioritising time outdoors and ensuring sufficient vitamin D, women can better manage common perimenopause symptoms. We share the supplements we’ve personally tried and tested in our newsletter—if you’re not already subscribed, sign up for free!