Unwanted companion stress has no respect for limits. According to YouGov, a startling 74% of people in the UK had experienced crippling stress and anxiety to the point where they were “unable to cope.”
The causes of this stress can range from anxiety and environmental pressures to traumatic experiences, and they are as varied as the people who experience it. But if you’ve recently been overcome by unexplainable anxiety, it might be tied to the cyclical nature of the seasons.
We’ve previously talked about the idea of summer depression, which can have effects on certain people similar to the more well-known winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Autumn anxiety is in full swing right now and is a very genuine phenomenon.
Recognizing Autumnal Anxiety
In order to explain this phenomenon, Dr. Clare Morrison, a medical advisor at MedExpress, says that “Autumn anxiety is the propensity for individuals to experience anxiety and low mood during the autumn months.”
Similar to winter SAD, fall anxiety has a set rhythm; it recurs every year at about the same time and causes tension in individuals who are affected without a clear explanation.
Sleep issues, a persistently depressed mood, excessive concern, exhaustion, and irritability are typical signs of this illness. You might have autumn anxiety if you frequently have depressive and anxious feelings in the fall.
Exposing the Root Causes
Although the precise origins of seasonal affective disorders are yet unknown, experts believe that variations in sunlight may be a key factor. According to Dr. Morrison, one of the factors is the decline in sunlight, which lowers serotonin levels. This important hormone affects emotions, hunger, and sleep cycles. Melatonin levels, a hormone that causes tiredness and depressive symptoms, are also rising.
Dr. Morrison goes on to say that colder weather may hinder exercise and that less hours of sunlight during the winter months may exacerbate emotions of worry and despair.
Additionally, the start of autumn corresponds with kids going back to school, which could increase demands at work. As a journalist for Inc. so well puts it, “I know I personally feel grim when my daughter goes back to school, and I need to start getting up in the dark at 6 a.m. again.”
What Can You Do to Fight Autumn Anxiety?
Thankfully, there are a number of efficient tactics for overcoming fall worry. The following actions are advised by experts as a way to lessen seasonal stress:
Regular Exercise: Make time for exercise each day of at least 30 minutes.
Healthy Eating: Give priority to a wholesome, well-balanced diet.
Investigating New Interests: Take up a new pastime or develop healthy routines.
Embrace nature: Spend more time outside and take in the splendor of the changing seasons.
Even though lifestyle adjustments can be helpful, they might not always be enough. It is advised to seek professional assistance if seasonal mood swings are seriously interfering with your life.
The trip can be both difficult and rewarding in the complex world of controlling our own brains.
