**The following article was originally published in The Signal on April 25, 2015**
Middlesex County residents can enjoy the numerous benefits of the spring weather now that the weather has warmed up all over the county. It is now the time that residents of the county finally come out of the hibernation they were under due to the extreme winter weather.
Signs of spring have peeped through all over the county. As you walk through the College, signs of spring can be seen. People in t-shirts, no winter jackets and the temperatures in the 60s are all signs that winter is now in the past. The beauty that comes with spring is not the only benefit, spring has health benefits as well.
There are multiple health benefits that come with spring, like more physical activity, spring gardening and even fresher produce. As the weather warms up, more people choose to do activities outside rather than staying inside and doing things like watching TV or playing video games.
Spending time outside can also lead to more Vitamin D, which can come directly from the Sun. According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, mayoclinic.org, “Vitamin D is found in many foods, including fish, eggs, fortified milk, and cod liver oil. The sun also adds to the body’s daily production of vitamin D, and as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to prevent deficiency.”
Proper exposure to the Sun can be extremely beneficial for treating diseases like cancer. Pulitzer Prize-winning news source, theguardian.com, says, “Vitamin D deficiency has been inconclusively linked to numerous conditions, including breast, bowel, lung and prostate cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and rheumatoid arthritis.”
The spring weather can also increase positive moods, said Haley Cafarella, a student here at the College; “The warmer weather is also beneficial because everyone seems to be in a better mood now that winter is over.” The spring weather also allows more people to enjoy the outdoors on campus. Cafarella expressed her love for spring saying, “I love the fact that the weather is warmer because I can wear lighter clothes and eat lunch outside when I’m on campus.” The spring weather will hopefully last long enough for it to be enjoyed. Students are encouraged to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
