As the days grow longer across the UK, the changing season is doing more than simply bringing brighter weather – it’s also improving the nation’s mood. New research from Yeo Valley Organic reveals that longer days, blooming landscapes and more time spent outdoors are having a significant impact on mental wellbeing.
Spring Brings a Mental Reset
According to the research, three quarters (75%) of respondents said they feel mentally lighter thanks to the arrival of Spring. From brighter mornings to warmer walks, spring’s impact goes beyond the weather, offering a much-needed mental reset after the darker winter months.
The findings also show that spending time in nature delivers fast benefits. Over two thirds (65%) of Brits reported that their mood improves within 15 minutes of spending time in green space, highlighting the speed of nature’s impact on wellbeing. At the same time, over a quarter (26%) say the effect is instant.
The Growing Importance of Green Spaces
The research highlights the strong connection between access to nature and overall wellbeing. However, despite recognising the benefits, many people, particularly city workers, still struggle to spend enough time outdoors during the working week.
More than a third of respondents said they do not get enough exposure to green spaces while working, even though 77% believe that increasing greenery in cities would help alleviate their stress levels.
The findings underline a growing demand for more natural environments within urban areas, especially as conversations around mental health and workplace wellbeing continue to evolve.
Bringing the Countryside to the City, with Genuine Somerset Pasture
To help address this disconnect, Yeo Valley Organic created a countryside-inspired escape in the heart of London by transforming part of Canary Wharf into a pop-up mini meadow.
Built using genuine Somerset pasture, the immersive installation recreated the sights, scents and textures of rural springtime into a corner of the city. Visitors that stepped into the meadow were invited to slow down, pause and reconnect with the outdoors, stepping away from the pace of the city into a calmer, more restorative environment designed to reflect the feeling of spring.
The experience featured seasonal planting, real grass underfoot and a calming outdoor atmosphere designed to mirror the restorative qualities of the countryside during spring.
A Seasonal Connection Between Food and Wellbeing
At the centre of the installation was Yeo Valley Organic’s free-range organic milk, produced by cows fed on a fully organic diet and allowed to graze freely on organic pastures.
Visitors were invited to enjoy a complimentary glass of milk while relaxing in the meadow, creating a sensory experience intended to highlight the connection between seasonality, food and wellbeing.
The research also revealed that spring has a noticeable influence on eating habits. As almost half of Brits (44%) said they are more likely to change their diet during spring than at any other time of year, while 67% believe food and drink tastes better when enjoyed outdoors in warmer weather.
These findings reinforce the emotional and sensory relationship between nature, seasonal living and everyday experiences.
Reconnecting People With Seasonal Farming
Speaking about the campaign, Verity Richardson, from Yeo Valley Organic, said:
“Spring is when everything comes back to life on the farm. Our cows are out grazing on lush, organic pastures, full of natural diversity. We know many people want to eat more seasonally, but it’s not always easy to know where to start.
By bringing a little piece of the Yeo Valley Organic founding farm from Somerset to the middle of London, we’re helping people reconnect with where their food comes from and experience just how good milk can taste when it’s produced in harmony with the seasons.”
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