7 Surprising Effects Fall Weather Can Have on Your Body

Autumn Health Perk #1: Your Sleep Will Grow Deeper

In the autumn, sunrise comes later, and sunset comes earlier every single day.  The dip in available sunlight triggers different adjustments in our bodies’ circadian rhythms, which will reset to make you sleepy earlier.  It’s also been proven that lower temperatures help us sleep better, so just crack your window on a cool fall night for the best sleep ever.

Autumn Health Perk #2: Fall Colors Promote Mental Health

When you’re feeling “down,” there’s no faster way to pick up your mood than to step outside.  Not only does a hit of Vitamin D do incredible things for our serotonin levels, but there’s something innately soothing about being in the fresh air and looking at nature.  In autumn, when the landscape is especially beautiful and colorful, the sight of bright leaves will dramatically and immediately boost your happiness and mental health. Go for a hike in the mountains, walk in the park, get outside and go Forest Bathing: https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/thrive-together/live-well/forest-bathing-try

Autumn Health Perk #3: Seasonal Spices Improve Overall Wellness

You can’t have autumn comfort food without plenty of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Fortunately, all three of these spices are delicious, and they improve your whole-body health.  Nutmeg has germ-killing properties, ginger improves the circulation, and cinnamon is linked to lower inflammation levels! Try adding some to your coffee or tea.

Autumn Health Perk #4: Say Goodbye to Brain Fog

“Brain fog” is a general term for malaise and fuzzy-headed feelings that affects all of us from time to time. In the summer, it’s easy to feel brain-fogged from the heat, but the crisp clear air of fall does wonders for clearing the cobwebs.  It might be a bit of placebo effect, but lots of people find that the cold fall air helps break up the fog and get their brains going again!

Autumn Health Perk #5: You’ll Get Out More

We normally associate getting outside with the summer, but just think — how many summer days do you spend in the A/C, trying to avoid the stifling heat?  In the autumn, you might not be hitting the beach, but you’re much more likely to go hiking or walking, play a round of golf, or engage in a game of touch-football with friends. All of that built-in exercise is more appealing because of the lovely weather, and it can improve your metabolism and your overall health.

Autumn Health Perk #6: It Brings Us Together

On a cold night, with the frost just gathering on the glass, is there anything better than snuggling up under a blanket with a loved one and watching a movie?  Whether you’re cozying up to your partner, your kids, your pets — or some combination of the three — there’s nothing more comforting than a fall night in.  Plus, all of that physical contact boosts our oxytocin levels, and makes us bond more closely with the people we’re hibernating with!

Autumn Health Perk #7: There’s Lots To Look Forward To

We all love Thanksgiving, Halloween, and shopping for holiday presents in the fall, but there’s one thing we love even more: anticipating all of those activities.  It’s true that humans derive more pleasure from anticipating a fun activity than they do from actually doing it. Fall is great for this because you have so much to plan and look forward to, which makes us happy and boosts our serotonin levels for the most contented season of them all!