It’s often in January that conversations turn to starting afresh, but I believe it’s the turn of spring when optimism truly takes hold for the year ahead. As the season starts to slowly unfurl, so too do we.
The cheeriest of flowers burst into life – tulips, daffodils and daisies – inspiring us to stretch our imaginations, nurture creativity, and embrace new beginnings. And that’s precisely why we’re celebrating the joys of this new season with our April dossier, over on page 41. Writer Caroline Butterwick guides us towards how we can find our place in the natural world and discover what it truly means to us. On page 40, columnist Jackee Holder shares her experiences of finding solace and flow while writing outside, and over on page 88, we dive into the invigorating powers of outdoor swimming – a pastime I’ve been longing to try but haven’t yet summoned the courage for. Perhaps, this month, we can all dip a toe in and answer the call of the wild? Our cover star this month is no stranger to the brain-boosting benefits of walking in nature. Dr Alex George, host of the walking and wellness podcast Stompcast, graces our cover. Avid readers may note that we haven’t featured a male celebrity since Chris Hemsworth in 2018, but I believe Alex is the perfect fit for our April issue. On page 14, he shares his insights about the importance of prioritising mental health, and his passion for empowering young people to feel more positive. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts, so please do share them with us at letters@psychologies.co.uk.