When The Seasons Change, Our Needs Can Too
Every year, there’s a point when it suddenly starts getting dark way earlier than it did a few weeks ago.
Maybe you leave work or school and the sun is already starting to go down. You start spending more time inside. Things you were doing during the summer might not fit into your routine as easily anymore.
And sometimes, you might notice that you feel a little different too.
Maybe you’re more tired than usual. Maybe you don’t feel like going out as much. Or maybe getting through your normal routine suddenly takes a little more energy than it did before.
It can be easy to get frustrated with ourselves when this happens.
We might wonder why we’re suddenly less motivated or why we feel like slowing down when nothing major has actually changed.
But something has changed.
The amount of daylight we’re getting, the weather, and sometimes even our daily routines are different than they were a few months ago.
And those things can affect us more than we realize.
Why Seasonal Changes Affect How We Feel
Even small changes in the season can affect how we feel throughout the day.
One reason for this may be the change in daylight. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that seasonal changes in daylight can affect things involved in our sleep and daily rhythms, which may contribute to seasonal changes in mood for some people (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2023).
Of course, this doesn’t mean feeling more tired one day in October automatically means something is wrong.
Sometimes our routines are just different.
Maybe you were taking walks after dinner during the summer, but now it’s already dark. Maybe you’re spending more time at home because it’s colder. Or maybe waking up in the morning feels a little harder when it’s still dark outside.
Those are pretty small changes on their own.
But when a few of them happen at the same time, it makes sense that we might notice a difference in how we feel.
Finding What Works For You During The Fall
Once we notice that our routines or energy feel a little different, it can help to think about what might make the season easier.
And this doesn’t have to mean completely changing your routine.
Sometimes it’s something small.
Maybe you start taking a walk earlier in the day instead of waiting until after dinner. Maybe you open the blinds when you wake up and try to get some daylight earlier in the day. Or maybe you move something you usually do at night to a different time when you have a little more energy.
If you notice you’ve been spending a lot more time at home, you could make plans with a friend, go somewhere for a change of scenery, or find a reason to get out of the house for a little while.
It can also help to have things in your week that you actually look forward to.
That could mean watching a show you like, cooking something, reading, working on a hobby, going somewhere on the weekend, or even having a night where you don’t have anything planned.
Sometimes it might even be as simple as making your space feel more comfortable when you’re going to be spending more time there.
None of these things have to become another thing you “should” be doing.
The point is really just to notice what has changed and think about what might help you adjust to it.
What feels helpful is probably going to look different for everyone.
And sometimes it takes a little trial and error to figure out what works for you.
A Few Questions to Reflect On
If you’ve noticed things feeling a little different lately, it might help to consider:
How has my energy been lately?
Have any of my routines changed without me really noticing?
Am I spending less time outside or around other people?
Is there a part of my day that has gotten harder since the season changed?
What have I been enjoying lately?
Is there anything I could change or add to my routine that might make this time of year feel a little easier?
Some Takeaways
The change from summer to fall can affect our everyday lives in ways we don’t always notice right away.
Our routines might change. We may spend more time inside. It gets dark earlier. And sometimes we might notice differences in our mood, sleep, or energy too.
That doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.
Sometimes we just need a little time to adjust.
Maybe that means getting outside earlier, making plans when we’ve been spending a lot of time alone, changing part of our routine, or finding something to look forward to during the week.
We don’t have to keep doing everything exactly the same way just because it worked for us a few months ago.
Sometimes it helps to notice what feels different and go from there.
Reference
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Seasonal affective disorder. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
Further Reading
The Fall of the Fall: Why Autumn Is Burnout Season
Feeling the Fall Funk? It Might Be More Than Just the Weather
Fall Transitions: What Will You Harvest? What Will You Let Go?
Nora Mangan is a Master of Social Work (MSW) intern at Aurora University. She is dedicated to strengths-based, client-centered practice and is especially interested in helping individuals and families access resources and build resilience. After graduation, she plans to pursue clinical social work.
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