The effects of the change of season on the body

Summer is over and the feared change of season is looming on the horizon, to which we usually attribute a wide range of illnesses: insomnia, irritability, headaches, digestive problems, but also irregularities in the menstrual cycle for women, poor health and so on. Among all these symptoms, some are actually produced by the transition between summer and autumn, which leads to fatigue of the body, forced to adapt to changes that we take for granted but that affect more than we imagine for our overall balance.

The change of season: a natural step change for our body

The arrival of autumn brings with it shorter days, lowering temperatures and the rain. The factor that perhaps most affects the state of our body is the progressive reduction of the hours of light, a change that impacts our mood, making us more subject to mild states of anxiety and melancholy. The influence of the sun can also be seen on a physical level, because UV rays stimulate the production of vitamin D, useful to bones and able to reduce the incidence of cancer; sunlight also stimulates the production of serotonin, helps muscle relaxation and regularizes biological rhythms. For this reason, even when the days become shorter, it is important to spend time outdoors and "stock up" on light, a booty that allows the body to produce melanin during the night, improving the quality of sleep and acting directly on the hormonal balance.

Meteorological changes, changes in temperature and light also affect the immune system, almost testing it. It is not uncommon to show symptoms of colds and flu, which represent the typical "seasonal illnesses", to which a sense of prolonged fatigue and a sense of apathy are added. It is very common at these times of the year. It is in fact the response that our body gives to the stresses received from outside, when the environment requires an effort of adaptation.

Let's not forget that autumn is a season in which nature offers shows of great beauty such as foliage (the moment in which the leaves of the trees change colour) and food of exceptional quality, such as mushrooms - including truffles - pumpkin, grapes, sweet figs and so on.

Well-being of body and mind

With the transition from summer to autumn, our body makes very clear demands on us, but we must not overlook the signals that the psyche sends us. Psychophysical well-being is achieved when body and mind are both healthy and in balance and, for this reason, the best approach to the change of season involves taking care of the entire body.

Scholars have established that SAD or Seasonal affective disorder, the disorder that causes fatigue, poor ability to concentrate, nausea, psychomotor slowdown, irritability and decreased desire, in relation to seasonal changes, is a very common syndrome.

Recognising moods and emotions is a good way to stay in touch with yourself and evaluate your general well-being, so you can activate and remedy the discomforts you feel. Dedicated to activities that provide well-being, which can range in very different areas - from gardening to cultural visits - alternating with regular exercise in the gym and outdoors, is one of the best ways to deal with the change of season. A very concrete way to defeat apathy and bad moods by taking care of yourself.