One of the best things about living in the Midwest is experiencing the seasons changing, which is a really beautiful thing, but many changes happen to your body, especially in the fall. The weather changing interferes with your body and mood and depending on whether you like the warm sunshine or like the cool darkness, can really impact your life in a variety of ways.
Less Light = More Sleep
As we all know the days are shorter in the fall, which means there is less sunshine. When this happens people tend to oversleep, which is very common. Just a couple of days ago you used to wake up to the sun rising and now the sunrise doesn’t come until a couple of hours later. According to a Harvard study, most people sleep an extra 2.7 hours beginning in October and it’s more common to oversleep in the fall than in other months.
Feel SAD
There’s such a thing called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which is a condition that causes a weather-related type of depression during the fall and winter. It’s very common to feel sad, irritated, or depressed when the temperature starts to fall. Luckily, there’s a simple solution. Just spend about 30 minutes outside when the sun is shining bright–this will help prevent SAD.
You Drink Less
When it’s hot outside you tend to drink more water because the heat dehydrates you. When it’s cool outside, you don’t drink as much water. But, if you look closely your skin might be sending you signs of dehydration, such as feeling parched and dry skin.
Lack Energy
Shorter days and longer nights might have you yawning at work, even when you’ve slept 8 hours. Just like trees that change color because of the lack of sunlight and shorter days, you too can be affected by the lack of sunshine and vitamin D. These things mess with circadian (sleeping and walking) rhythms, which make you feel tired, and with lack of energy.
It’s no surprise that we crave sweets in the fall and it’s not just because it’s apple picking season. When the temperature begins to drop, the brain sends messages to the body telling it to load up on carbs to prepare the body for hibernation. When it’s cold your body burns more calories working hard to keep you warm, plus your body naturally raises your blood pressure in order to conserve heat during the colder months.
Better Focus
According to research from Cornell University, warm weather causes your focus to drift from the brain because it’s busy trying to regain optimal temperature. In the fall, you are more creative, more focused, and in turn more productive.
It’s not all bad news, the fall is a great time of the year. Bundle up and get outside, go for a walk, exercise, and soak up as much sunshine as you can (don’t forget the sunblock).