The beginning of the new season marks a time of change. It can be a time to reflect, plan, and enjoy cooler temperatures, holidays, and all that the last few months of the year have to offer.
Fall has officially begun here in the Northern Hemisphere, and this shift marks the beginning of pumpkin spice lattes, colorful leaves, and some of our favorite holidays. It also brings changes in sunlight, lower temperatures, and an adjustment in lifestyle. While the new season is a welcome change of scenery for most, it can have effects that may throw our bodies out of whack if we are not prepared for it.
Fall is known for having shorter days and longer nights than summer. This is the time of year when we lose sunlight during the day, especially after Daylight Savings Time ends on the first Sunday in November. Our bodies’ circadian rhythm is thrown off because we take in less sunlight during the day. This can cause us to have a lower quality of sleep than before, even though we may end up sleeping more. While many of us end up getting more sleep, we still wake up feeling fatigued. To combat this, it is recommended to get some fresh air and sunshine during the day. Additionally, short naps can help in picking up energy levels. It will naturally take us all a few weeks to adjust to these environmental changes.
The lifestyle adjustments that fall brings can also lead to us feeling a little bit more stressed. School is in full swing, work schedules pile up, and the holidays are lurking just around the corner. Anxiety is reported to be higher during the Autumn months, likely due to the transitions that this new season requires. The lack of sunlight doesn’t help.
These depression-like symptoms manifest in a lot of people during the colder months. If during these upcoming months, you feel like you don’t have enough energy, feel sad or feel an increase in negative thoughts, you might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor if you notice some significant changes in the way you're feeling. Home remedies include getting as much sunlight as you can, as this will have a positive impact on increased anxiety and help raise levels of vitamin D in the body, shown to help ease symptoms of SAD.
Adding herbs like bacopa, ashwagandha, and saffron may be a worthy addition to your daily routine by helping the body adjust to stress and anxiety and supporting your mood through the changing season, as demonstrated by a study carried out by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Read this study >
The beginning of fall comes with more illness as well. Certain viruses, especially influenza, reach their peaks when the weather is cooler and drier. Cold weather also forces people to be in enclosed spaces longer, increasing the risk of infection. The colder months alone are notorious for the large bouts of flu and other seasonal illnesses they bring, and COVID-19 throws a curveball into the mix. Make sure to consistently wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds, look into available vaccinations, and wear a mask to decrease your odds of getting infected.
Lastly, it may sound counterintuitive, but when the heat dies down, we have a higher risk of getting dehydrated. In the middle of the summer, we can't help but constantly drink a lot of water because we're hot and sweaty and the sun is beating down on us. However, when the weather becomes cooler, our bodies’ thirst signal may not be as strong, which can lead to us forgetting to drink as much water as we should. Instead, we may end up drinking more dehydrating beverages like coffee and tea. To prevent this from happening, make sure you're getting your water in throughout the day. This can be accomplished by always keeping a full water bottle by your side or setting a reminder on your phone.
The beginning of the new season marks a time of change. It can be a time to reflect, plan, and enjoy cooler temperatures, holidays, and all that the last few months of the year have to offer. However, it’s very important to take into account the effects this shift can have on us and do what is in our power to make sure that we and those around us are staying healthy and happy.