3 Ways Your Body Changes in Fall

Changes in daylight hours and cooler temperatures contribute to various bodily changes in fall. If you notice mood changes, dips in energy, or just generally feel “off” during the transition from summer to fall, you’re not alone.

1. Your mood changes

Many people experience mood changes as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. Less physical activity could be the cause, but other factors may also be at play:

• Low vitamin D levels: Vitamin D comes mainly from exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency can occur in fall and winter because there are fewer daylight hours. It is linked to an increased risk of anxiety and depression.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): People with SAD have lower levels of serotonin (a hormone that helps regulate mood). Some evidence suggests that sunlight helps maintain healthy serotonin levels. So when you get less sunlight in the fall and winter, your serotonin can decrease and harm your mood.

2. Your energy drops

Melatonin is a hormone activated by darkness. Your body ramps up melatonin production at night to signal the brain that it’s time to sleep. Come morning, your body stops producing melatonin when you’re exposed to light, making you feel awake and alert.

In fall and winter, when days are shorter and darker than in spring and summer, your body produces more melatonin, which can lead to feeling tired and sluggish.

3. You feel “off”

As temperatures drop, you may feel “disconnected” and unmotivated. Research shows that your environment plays a big role in this feeling.

One study found that most people engage in less physical activity during cold, dark months than during warmer months with extended daylight hours.

Living an inactive lifestyle can lead to:

• Decreased immune function
• Hormonal imbalance
• Increase inflammation
• Increased risk of chronic disease
• Slow metabolism
• Weakness of muscles and bones
• Weight gain

While it’s normal to feel “under the weather” in the fall, it can be helpful to reevaluate your physical activity and find creative ways to stay active to combat the effects of an inactive lifestyle.