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autumn anxiety refers to the increase in worry, fear and other negative emotions related to the changing seasons. dr. therese mascardo, a clinical psychologist, describes it to the chill times as “feeling overwhelmed, tense, or worried, while possibly feeling physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, stomach aches, and trouble sleeping.”
“there is some evidence that in the northern hemisphere during fall, as the earth tilts away from the sun, our moods are affected. less daylight leads to lower levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, the neurotransmitters that control our emotions,” she told the healthy . “as these neurotransmitters drop, the body responds by increasing levels of cortisol, the ‘stress hormone’ released in situations where we perceive threat. when there is more cortisol released than needed, then we can become anxious.”
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the changing environment also has an impact on negative emotions. while being increasingly in the dark has a lot to do with this, the fall also brings with it “anticipatory anxiety,” carrie landin, a psychologist with uchealth integrative medicine center and a clinical instructor at the university of colorado told the healthy .
but just because all of these complicated emotions are common, and for the most part, completely rational, it doesn’t mean that feeling a bit edgy and downright spicy as soon as the leaves start changing colour is something you just have to live with. in fact, mascado, who frequently coaches clients struggling with autumn anxiety, has some strategies to help get a grip on negative emotions and stop the fall from bringing you down. spoiler alert, though: her tips hold neither surprise, nor intrigue… sigh. she recommends getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, meditating, getting some sun (vitamin d is good for mood) and taking a moment each day to make a list of what you are grateful for.
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