Why the cosiest season is good for your mental health

Summer is seen by many as a time for joy, warmth and adventure, with more of us getting out of the house, seeing friends and family and having some time off work.

Autumn, on the other hand, heralds shorter days, colder weather and, for some, the arrival of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern.

But, as the leaves begin to turn, autumn cosiness could be the mental wellness boost we all need right now.

Cosy days, crunchy leaves, pumpkin-flavoured everything, and a good evening boxset can all be balm for the soul.

So, here are reasons to be cheerful autumn is coming…

Nutritious and comforting meals

What we eat will affect our mood and, while summer might have seen you throwing together a cold salad or sandwich, you may find you have more time in autumn to cook some nourishing meals.

“Even the type of food we eat in autumn is a full-bodied and mature alternative to the young and fresh salads typically consumed in warmer months,” says Dr Daniela Beivide from Holly Health, who has a PhD in psychological medicine. “Nutritious vegetables can be made into hearty soups or casseroles, which can be enjoyed as a way to de-stress with family and friends.

Fresh beauty

According to Stefan Chmelik, founder of biotech company Sensate, who has extensive experience working within the mental wellbeing sphere, says: “Humans mostly register two seasons – autumn and spring. Winter and summer are really the transition between these two times, known as the equinox.”

Which means that, for us “autumn is a powerful time of change, a time when nature returns to the earth to recuperate, to repair, to be ready anew in the spring”.

He says it’s best if we aim to live in harmony with the seasons. “Leading a ‘summer life’ in autumn or winter is like fighting against the energy of the season. Notice it’s getting darker earlier and go to bed earlier and sleep more as it is appropriate to sleep longer during the darker months when the sun is less strong.”

And there are new sights to enjoy in autumn. “As the light gets lower in the sky, it’s the time of golden light through trees and leaves turning brown, of long shadows and morning mist; a time of great beauty,” Chmelik says.

Back-to-school nostalgia

According to Dr Elle Boag, social psychologist at Birmingham City University, in autumn our back-to-school vibes can kick in. “People love autumn because it is a fresh start, associate it with starting school and it brings a feeling of nostalgia,” she says.

Similar to the spring-cleaning affect, this fresh start feel can bring motivation and excitement to colder climes.

Comfortably cool

Summer heat isn’t for everyone and it can be unbearable at times, particularly if you are trying to work, exercise or get out and about. Boag says: “It’s been too hot to concentrate or work this year, this cooling-down period is now a time to put our slippers on and get cosy.”

This break from the heat may bring sweet relief to us.

“When the seasons change and we get colder we can release more serotonin or less, it will affect people differently but the majority of us like this change. We can see it as an opportunity for change and growth [and] that is really good for your mental wellbeing and psychological health,” she adds.

Prepare for winter

Autumn brings the excitement of planning for winter, and all the joy that can bring.

“We go to work in the dark and home in the dark and your mood may get lower, so you can use this time to make plans for how you will cope and feel good,” says Boag.

By using this time of beauty, slowing down and reflection to prepare, we can ensure we are protecting our wellbeing when the cold does get a bit much.

Intention-setting

“It’s a great habit to allocate time during the change of each season for reflection on the past three months, and to set out your thoughts and intentions for how you would like the next three months to be,” says Chmelik.

“Put this in your diary – maybe just an hour to pause and reflect, or you can commit to spending longer in nature. Or you can stay at home, listen to forest sounds and practise this simple reflection. It’s OK to be inside and to cocoon and snuggle to warm and restore.”