Mental Health And The Changing Seasons

The changing seasons and mental health

The mind and body respond to light, temperature, and the rhythms of the natural world and the changing seasons. As the world around you changes with each passing season, mental health can also change throughout the year. Understanding these changes may equip you to navigate transitionary periods healthily and maintain mental health throughout the year. To understand this phenomenon more profoundly, looking at the way nature can affect people, how to cope with changes, and how to find support if you struggle with seasonal challenges may be helpful. In this article, we’re discussing how changing seasons may impact people differently depending on the country and region. We’re also providing tips on how you can focus on your (or your children or partner’s) mental health during these transition periods.

The impact of seasonal transitions on mental health

Changing seasons affect people in various ways, with each season bringing unique influences on life and mental health. These transitions may play a role in your social calendar, obligations, activity level, mood, and even the food you eat. Below are a few changes that may occur in each of the four seasons.

Spring 

Summer 

Autumn 

Winter 

Winter brings shorter days and longer nights, which can lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to changes in seasons. The lack of sunlight can disrupt one’s internal biological clock, reduce serotonin levels (a neurotransmitter that affects mood), and imbalance melatonin levels (which affect sleep and mood). Many people—especially those in a region where the cold is particularly harsh—use this time to hibernate, eschewing social contact in favor of time alone at home. However, some people celebrate holidays and spend time with people they love in the winter, which can have positive or negative connotations.

Transitioning through the year 

Transitions between changing seasons can also pose challenges as one’s body and mind adjust to the difference in routines, activities, and environmental conditions. These changes can cause fluctuations in mental health status, emphasizing the benefit of adaptable coping strategies. Although these changes can be seen in many people, impacts on mental health vary, so seek support if these changes become overwhelming for you. 

The role of weather patterns and regional differences

Have you noticed your partner’s mood changing during winter? Do your children become more active during summer? Research shows that weather is closely linked to mental health. If you’ve spent time in a region where precipitation, cold, or darkness are common features of certain seasons, you likely understand how this link works. Cold, snowy, or rainy weather can prevent people from going outside, socializing, or pursuing hobbies. In a similar way, excessive heat or humidity may lead to irritability, physical health challenges, or anxiety.

Additionally, sleep patterns can be affected by a lack of sunlight. Parts of the country where there are pronounced changes in daylight during winter, such as Alaska, are thought to have higher rates of conditions like seasonal affective disorder. Inclement weather may also influence the growth of plants, potentially impacting important sources of food for many. An awareness of the potential differences in mental health outcomes due to regional weather variation can be helpful. 

How does nature affect humans? 

Nature has significant impacts on mood, affect, and decision-making. Below are some of the most common natural changes that can impact humans. 

Daylight shifts

One of the most apparent shifts people may experience between seasons is the change in daylight hours. Long, sunny summer days can elevate mood, boost energy, and encourage individuals to engage more with the world around them. Contrarily, winter's shorter, darker days can lead to lethargy and sadness for some. Acknowledging these changes, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, or speaking with a mental health professional about the details of your mental state may help you manage these effects.

Temperature fluctuations 

Your body’s reaction to temperature fluctuations can also influence mental health. The warmth of spring and summer can bring relaxation and happiness. Conversely, the cold of fall and winter might cause you to want to retreat indoors, leading to decreased social interaction and increased isolation. Staying physically active, regardless of the season, may combat these feelings. Whether you take a brisk walk in the autumn air or try a cozy yoga session indoors during winter, determine ways you can keep moving– and stick to them. You may even recruit a loved one to send daily check-in texts that hold you accountable. 

Activity changes

Connection with nature can play a critical role in mental health. Summer invites you to enjoy outdoor activities, enhancing mood and reducing stress. In contrast, winter's quieter, slower rhythm volunteers an opportunity for introspection and renewal. Embrace each season’s unique offerings, whether you choose to enjoy a refreshing summer swim or a content winter evening by the fire.

For those living in cold climates, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, watching the snow fall from the sky, and leisurely strolls to admire the winter trees may help you incorporate a connection with nature and Earth into your year-round routine.

The impact of seasonal change on family and relationships

Regardless of the season, maintaining social connections can profoundly impact mental health. Relationships with children, partners, friends, and other loved ones may change depending on the time of year. During the warmer months, fostering social bonds might look like picnics in the park or beach days with friends or family members. In colder seasons, you might try more indoor-focused activities like movie nights, shared meals, or virtual gatherings with loved ones and their families. Staying in contact and nurturing these connections can provide a buffer against loneliness and isolation.

Key strategies to maintain social connections include regular communication with friends and family, joining interest-based groups or clubs, attending religious services, volunteering, or adopting a pet (with the necessary resources to care for them.) Consider scheduling a visit to an old friend who lives in a different region of the country; or you might simply bring some food over to your neighbor’s. These connections can create a sense of belonging and may help you perceive yourself as understood and appreciated. Social connections can also provide an invaluable support network during difficult times.

Does the influence of nature differ in different hemispheres?

While mental health influence does not change based on the hemisphere you live in, the timing of seasons and their effects are different in different locations. Winter and summer solstices are astronomical events marking the shortest and longest days of the year, respectively. In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on December 21st, whereas the summer solstice falls on June 21st. The situation is reversed in the southern hemisphere.

During the winter solstice, the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun, leading to shorter daylight hours and longer nights in the northern hemisphere. Individuals living in a region of the country or the world where this phenomenon is most pronounced may experience various mental health concerns. This lack of sunlight can contribute to seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression common in winter months. When cold weather partners with an increase in precipitation, people may be even more likely to “hibernate” in their homes.

Meanwhile, the southern hemisphere enjoys its longest day of the year during this time, potentially elevating mood and energy levels due to increased sunlight exposure. The presence of plants and animals may be more evident in these warmer months (the same can be said for children playing outdoors). Individuals living in the northern hemisphere can experience not only warm weather, but new food and entertainment options by visiting the southern hemisphere. 

Conversely, during the summer solstice, the North Pole is tilted closest to the sun, resulting in the northern hemisphere's longest day of the year. Extended daylight can positively impact mental health, boosting mood, energy, and activity levels. However, the southern hemisphere experiences its shortest day during this time, which may lead to decreased mood and energy for some individuals.

Nature’s rhythms: How plants and animals adapt to the seasons

As you consider strategies for navigating the transitions between the seasons, it can help to think about how the natural world makes these changes. For example, many animals hibernate during the winter, instinctively storing up energy as food options dwindle. If you live in a region of the country where cold weather drives people inside, you might take this time to rest and relax. The need to conserve energy is also the reason you often see a collection of leaves underneath trees during the fall. Like trees, you may use the changing of the seasons as an opportunity to get rid of habits or possessions that no longer serve you. As you pare down, consider focusing on the activities that nourish your body and mind.

Mindfulness and self-care

In the journey of navigating changing seasons, self-care and mindfulness can be crucial. Mindfulness and self-care can help you tune in to your emotions and physical feelings, recognizing how the seasonal shift impacts you. This self-awareness may guide you in finding self-care activities, whether you seek more rest, social interaction, or time for relaxation and hobbies. Self-care can take many forms, but the following are some of the most common. 

Meditation and mindfulness

Journaling

Relaxation activities as part of your upcoming events

Healthy boundaries 

Seasonal activities that promote emotional well-being

Embracing seasonal events and pastimes is one way of fostering mental wellness and practicing self-care. For example, when the weather is warm, you might take your children (or friends or other loved ones) to visit a nearby beach or park. Research shows that spending time in nature can improve mental and physical health. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may cook healthy meals using local, seasonal food. For example, fall often partners with the arrival of a collection of hearty vegetables like kale, potatoes, beets, carrots, and broccoli. Consider looking up common seasonal activities in your area that may help you enhance your mental well-being. 

Therapy for the seasonal transitions in life

Changing seasons may cause feelings of sadness, lethargy, or anxiety in some individuals. However, reaching out for help from an in-person therapist can be challenging if you’re struggling to leave home. In these cases, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can be a convenient and effective resource to navigate these changes and fill the treatment gap.