What the Change in Season Means for the Brain

When we think of fall, we may think of the change in color of foliage, warm autumn drinks, cool breezes, and pumpkin everything. But the last thing that comes to mind is, well, the mind. The change in season has just as strong of an effect on our activities, as it does our physical brains. 

According to Discover Magazine, an online science and lifestyle resource, headaches become more frequent during the autumn and winter seasons, as well as an overall decline in mental health for certain people. Levels of cognition also vary throughout the year, and are shown to be less proficient during these colder seasons. This does not exclude even the healthiest of minds, which are shown to perform with diminished ability on everyday functions like concentration and memory.   

However, this does not apply to everyone uniformly. Online information resource, Bustle, shares how various scientific studies recorded that certain people perform better in warmer temperatures, while others were shown to respond better when faced with colder temperatures. This phenomena is largely due to personal comfort levels, as some feel more adept in certain conditions. When we are more comfortable, we are more likely to be more productive. So, one’s cognition may be as simple as preferring summer to winter, or vice versa. 

Along with brain performance, the weather can also affect our mood. The most common affliction being Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Mayo Clinic shares that SAD is a type of depression that is related to changes in season, beginning and ending at relatively the same times every year. In most cases of SAD, symptoms begin to surface in the fall, and continue throughout the winter months, usually resolving during the spring or summer. Some symptoms may include loss of energy, feelings of moodiness and sadness, loss of interest, and having difficulty concentrating. These however are not exclusive, as some report to having feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of not wanting to live. This is serious, so if you, or someone you know is facing these issues, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. There are many online resources, such as Verywellmind and Discoverymood  that may provide some comfort or help. 

When the seasons turn, it is not just the weather that changes. Our clothes, celebrations, flavors, schedules, and even our brains respond to the calendar. But this isn’t a reason to despair about the change in season, rather an opportunity to better understand what makes each person tick. Because after all, life is not only about navigating not only the world, but ourselves.