Jane Record

Is it Spring yet Dad?

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Every year it feels like I have the same debate with friends, family, the bus driver and the lady on my webhost's help line. Are we in Spring yet? Is this Spring?

The daffodils are in full bloom. Check.

It is March. Check.

It should be Spring right? But it is still cold and rainy...... hmmm

Clearly the answer isn't so straight forward, or is it.....,

There are different schools of thoughts regarding this incredibly important British meteorological matter and that there different dates sited on the internet which potentially herald the start of Spring and sunshine in rainy England. We hope.

Every year, I launch into an in-depth chat with Dr Google or Professor Chrome. My brain is such a sieve that every year I forget the exact reason for the divergent views and, when asked, I mumble something about it being to do with the sun or moon versus the scientists' view, namely that of meteorologists and climatologists.

So here it is.

The meteorologists in temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere (like the UK) break down the seasons into 4 blocks of 3 months, which represent the 3 hottest months and 3 coldest months on record and those in between. Winter being the coldest recorded months - December, January and February and Summer being the hottest recorded months - June, July and August. With the transitional seasons of Spring and Autumn falling in between. Hence in the Northern Hemisphere Meteorological Spring falls in March, April and May. Easy peasy.

But, the Astronomists beg to differ, and the Astronomical seasons are not so cut and dried and vary from year to year. All depending on the position of Sun in relation to the Earth. Apologies to all Astronomists, but my understanding is that when the Sun is directly over the Equator and we have equal hours of daylight and nighttime, this signifies an Equinox, which marks a transition into Spring, or Autumn. Then on the longest and shortest days of the year we transition into Summer and Winter respectively.

Since we are talking about Spring, when exactly is this famous Spring Equinox?

Well, it is not always on the same date, due, in part, to the fact that the Earth takes 365.25 days to orbit the Sun. So, like this year, we have a 366-day Leap Year every 4 years. Combine that with the fact that the Earth takes an elliptical path around the Sun, and we end up with seasons that can vary in length between 89 and 93 days and consequently start on different days each year. This whole malarky led to the meteorological calendar being born, so that seasons were of a consistent length which helped climatologists compare seasonal statistics from year to year. Phew. Clear?

So, there you have it. Maybe we are in Spring, maybe we are not.

You may also believe that it is Spring when you see the first daffodils in the park, lambs in the field or goslings at the pond. Personally, I believe that if the weather is good in March, then we are definitely in Spring, and if it's cold and rainy then Spring 100% starts after the Spring Equinox or even later. I am happy to be flexible in my Springtime beliefs and whatever makes me feel happier about the good old English Weather. ..... As it is currently raining, I can't wait for Spring to arrive with the Spring Equinox......

In the meantime, what are your plans for a Spring clean? Are you ready to jump into action and start a health programme, or start reintroducing some daily health habits? Sign up for a free health consultation now and get kick started into Spring!

daffs 1_copy1

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Jane Record

One day More.....

Through the scientific marvel that is the Julian calendar, the time it takes for the Earth to orbit the Sun is corrected every 4 years and we add up the orbiting time discrepancy to give us an extra day and 366 days of the year. Whilst it might not be the most fun for someone being born on 29th February, only getting to celebrate their birth date once every 4 years, for the rest of us we have the luxury of a whole extra day.

This year I heard a handful of ladies on the radio surprising their loves with a marriage proposal. Thankfully all their partners said 'yes' and it filled my heart with love, faith in mankind and the pure unadulterated joy of that extra day. The 29th of February may have come and gone, but it got me thinking, what am I going to do with one more day this Leap Year? How am I going to make it count? Being married for over 20 years a proposal is out for me, but I am now thinking of other ways I can use this time. Should I climb a mountain, volunteer at a homeless shelter, dedicate time to start a new hobby? There are 24 hours of 2024 gravy at my disposal to do something ordinary or even extraordinary, but nonetheless there is 'one more day' to make count, to reflect on, journal on and plan. This could be something or nothing, but I do not feel that I can let this opportunity pass without at least some consideration. What will you do extra this Leap Year? How will you make it count?

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Jane Record

To hibernate or not to hibernate, that is the question?

Despite best intentions otherwise and New Year's resolutions abounding, progress in January and February in my life in the Northern hemisphere seems to be fraught with colds, winter blues and the mother of all ruts. I do not have a birthday in January, or have spent time on hols Down Under, so doom and gloom is here stalking me through my blue days..

But why do I put so much pressure on myself on the 1st January, every year, without fail to set enormous, almighty and unachievable goals for the new year? Why oh why? Is it because now that Christmas is over, I feel that I MUST take charge of my life after all the eating, drinking and letting things slip over the holidays? Is it the newly found tire or the food or alcohol hangover that lasts 3 days??? Why do I think my own self-worth hinges on my behaviour now and that LIFE and a New Year, new ME started on 1st January, when I was feeling extremely second hand, at best, and the days are icy cold, short and dark, with the only bright light on the horizon being Chinese New Year at the beginning of February.

Shouldn't I set an intention for the Chinese New Year - now that I have royally stuffed up the calendar new year? Is this my second chance, my Hail Mary? At least January is out of the way and days are starting to get longer...... bluebells and crocuses are popping their colourful little heads up in the park. Spring is just around the corner honestly, I sigh, I wish, I pray....

Ahh Spring. A time of rebirth, fertility, growth and transformation. I naturally become more alive in Spring. I am like caterpillars, breaking out of it's chrysalis and being transformed into a gorgeous iridescent butterfly. I start smiling to myself at the happy faces of the jolly yellow daffodils and fresh baby blooms. Days are longer and gardens and I can smell new life and possibilities in the air. Isn't this when I should start putting my plans for World dominance into action? Doesn't this make more sense?

I'm not saying spend January and February in bed or on the sofa, although this is a very attractive thought for this February me - tired of winter and now avoiding social interactions in favour of the 4 walls of my kitchen. Close to the comforting trifecta of fridge, kettle and toaster .... but maybe that is ok, and these dark wet months could just be a time of laying down fat, conserving my energy (like the hibernating bears), percolating ideas and dreaming and contemplating my great, wild, and ambitious goals for the year?

I always thought it interesting that in the Romulus Calendar (pre-Julian Calendar, which was pre our current Gregorian calendar), there were 10 months in the calendar, which started in March and finished in December and was 304 days long. The remaining 61 odd days were apparently ignored, resulting in a gap during the winter season, as this was a period of INACTIVITY! The first month of the calendar, Martius, corresponded with the arrival of Spring.

So, when I am pondering my January and February slump, and addiction to being within 10 paces of the fridge and kitchen, I am going to stop, take a deep breathe, let go, relax, and remember it was always meant to be this way. Spring will be here before I know it and then I can jump back into my lycra and skip to the park for joyous light early morning runs or workouts and more than happily abandon my human hibernation for another year.

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