To Inspire:

Fall started this year on September 22, although in central Ohio 80-degree days lasted well into October. As a gardener, fall is a bittersweet time for me, as my garden is put to bed until spring. But in the U.S., 45 percent of people say fall is their favorite season, making it overwhelmingly the most popular. And it turns out there are actual scientific reasons why.

Susan Albers, PsyD, a Cleveland Clinic psychologist, reveals some of the science behind our love of fall:

Fall stimulates our senses

Every season has its own personality but fall provides the richest sensory experience – golden sunlight on fall leaves, crunching through dried leaves in your yard or on the sidewalk, and the smell of woodsmoke in the air. “People love fall because it wakes up all of their senses at once,” Dr. Albers explains. “They notice the changing colors, feel the soft texture of warm clothing, and breathe in the scents of spice and cinnamon. All these sights and sounds of the fall trigger the reward center of the brain and release dopamine, which makes us feel cozy, calm, and nostalgic during the fall.”

Fall is fleeting

As fall is the transitional time between summer and winter, we view it as more transitory. Thanks to the “scarcity effect” we place higher value on things when we can’t have them all the time. Limited time offerings in fall intensify our love – think pumpkin spice everything that hits every coffee shop and grocery store even before the fall equinox. People – even some on The Joseph Group team- can’t wait for their first PSL (pumpkin spice latte) of the year. That wait ramps up your anticipation and your ultimate appreciation.

Fall weather makes it easier to get outdoors

The blazing hot summer sun can make it difficult to get outdoors, but the milder temperatures of fall make it easy, which happens to be really healthy. “The cooler air makes it much easier to go outside to take a hike, enjoy the outdoors, and exercise,” Dr. Albers says. “That may be tough to do during the hot summer months. This outdoor activity raises the oxygen level in our brains which helps us to think more clearly and feel calmer. So, a few minutes outside during the cool, crisp air can do wonders for our bodies and our brains.”

Fall also helps us sleep better

Cooler temperatures and an earlier sunset may promote a more comfortable room and a more reliable bedtime routine, increasing your odds of getting the seven to nine hours of sleep your body needs, Dr. Albers says.

It’s a tried and true notion that better sleep often means a better mood—notes Harvard Health Publishing: “Sleep and mood are closely connected; poor or inadequate sleep can cause irritability and stress, while healthy sleep can enhance well-being.”

While summer is my favorite season, apparently most of us can agree that winter is the worst (only 11% of Americans claim to love winter). So, while we still have these sunny, blue sky, moderate fall days, take advantage! Get outside and enjoy everything fall has to offer.

Written by Michelle O’Brien, Manager of Marketing & Communications

Source: Gray, Lauren. Why Do We Love Fall So Much? There are 5 Scientific Reasons, Says Cleveland Clinic Expert. thehealthy.com