As summer fades and the crisp air of fall arrives, many people feel the change in more than just the weather. The cooler temperatures, shorter days, and falling leaves can stir up emotions that go deeper than pumpkin spice cravings and cozy sweaters. For some, autumn feels like a comforting reset. For others, it can trigger stress, sadness, or even seasonal depression.
Why the Weather Affects Our Mood
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Less sunlight: With earlier sunsets, we get less exposure to natural light. This can disrupt sleep patterns and lower serotonin levels, which impacts mood.
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Temperature changes: The sudden drop in warmth can make it harder to get outside and stay active, which are both key for mental health.
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Nature’s signals: As trees shed their leaves and plants fade, we subconsciously feel the sense of things “ending,” which can affect our mindset.
The Emotional Side of Fall
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Back-to-busy: Just like the back-to-school rush, fall often brings packed schedules at work and home. The slower pace of summer suddenly disappears.
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Isolation: Cooler weather and darker evenings can make us want to stay inside, but too much isolation can lead to loneliness.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): For some people, the lack of sunlight in fall and winter can trigger a more serious form of depression that comes back every year.
Coping with the Seasonal Shift
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Soak up sunlight: Spend time outdoors during daylight hours, even if it’s just a short walk.
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Stay active: Movement helps regulate mood, and it doesn’t have to be intense—yoga, stretching, or a fall hike all count.
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Create cozy rituals: Instead of focusing on what’s gone, embrace what’s new—warm drinks, blankets, candles, and fall meals can make the season feel comforting.
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Reach out: Schedule social time, even if it’s just a quick chat with a friend. Connection is key to keeping loneliness at bay.
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Consider light therapy: For those who struggle deeply with seasonal changes, light therapy lamps can mimic sunlight and improve mood.
Fall is beautiful, but it’s also a reminder that change isn’t always easy. Acknowledging that the shift in weather affects mental health allows us to prepare, rather than feel caught off guard. As the leaves fall, it’s okay to slow down, make space for self-care, and find new ways to keep the light in your life, even as the days grow shorter.
Mental health struggles often show up quietly. It could be irritability, withdrawal, a change in sleep or drinking habits. If you notice something seems off with a friend or co-worker, don’t brush it off. Ask. Listen. And if needed, suggest they check out a resource like Mental Health and Addictions Nova Scotia. It’s free, anonymous, and available 24/7.
Mental health isn’t just a personal issue. It’s a community one. And around here, we’ve always looked out for each other.
At 107.9 Go Rock, we’re encouraging everyone to keep those chats going, and to make space for what really matters.
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