Hi readers, welcome back to Dasha’s Weekly Psych Fact! Hope everyone is enjoying the last of this warm weather and loving the changing of seasons as much as I do (especially the pretty tree colors and cute outfits). I personally love spooky season and all the fun activities and perks it comes with. Between the apple picking, pumpkin spice lattes and haunted houses, it can be hard to focus on school and work, so this week I wanted to dive into some ways the changing of seasons affects us and three ways to take care of yourself this fall.
FACT: Autumn can promote a frame of mind that’s conducive to mental well-being.
Fall is a great time for personal change as the seasons change. Everyone is cozying up in comfy clothes with some warm soup and their favorite movie. The fall brings lots of nutritious fruits and vegetables if you’re trying to eat healthier (if you’re familiar with Emily Mariko from TikTok, I am obsessed with her and I want to cook like she does), as well as lots of fun activities if you’re looking for something to do with your friends and family.
But changing seasons can also bring on something called Seasonal Affective Disorder or “seasonal depression.” According to the Mayo Clinic, less sunlight and the drop of serotonin levels can really impact mental health and productivity where you just want to stay home and sleep all day (almost like hibernation). But let’s look on the bright side of things and consider the pros of the changing seasons.
A great change that you can make this fall is in your mindset! Here are three ways you can cheer yourself up this spooky season:
- Embrace change –– “Fall [is] a natural time to rethink your attitude toward changes in your daily life and relationships,” said Melissa Gratias, a productivity coach, author and speaker with a doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology. Fall is an annual reminder that change has pros as well as cons. “Sure, the leaves die and fall off the trees, but they also become mulch for new growth,” said Gratias. So embracing these changes and seeing them as an opportunity for new beginnings is our ultimate goal here.
- Foster mindfulness –– Fall days are often not too hot, not too cold, but just right for spending time out with nature. Mindfulness interventions in natural settings have been proven to be moderately more effective than those in manmade settings. “Nature is an amazing guide to grounding in the present moment,” said Julianne Schroeder, a licensed professional counselor, registered yoga teacher and speaker. “That’s important because a lot of emotional and mental distress comes from either rehashing past events or worrying about the future. Practicing mindfulness retrains your brain to be in the here and now.” So get some fresh air, take yourself on a picnic date and slow your breathing to foster a better mindset this fall.
- Renew connections –– “Fall is a wonderful time for traditions that bring people together,” said Annie Hsueh, a clinical psychologist in Southern California who specializes in couples therapy. And it’s not just about Thanksgiving. Every fall, a family might visit the same pumpkin patch or a group of friends might get together for a Halloween party. Social connections and friendships are what helps us all thrive and grow. Social connectedness is great for emotional health, so getting back in touch with friends and family can also help better your mood during this changing of seasons.
All in all, embrace the new and coming changes, take a nice walk in the woods, go visit a pumpkin patch with your friends and don’t let the colder weather get you down!