The Science Behind Seasonal Shifts: How Fall Affects Your Mind and Body | Praise Podcast

Listen now | Feeling foggy come early afternoon? Craving soup, solitude, or a slower pace? Tune in for what neuroscience researchers say about your fall fatigue, cravings, and quiet moods. 🎧

https://momo634.com/p/science-behind-seasonal-shifts-affecting-mind-body

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00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Feeling foggy come early afternoon?

00:00:03 --> 00:00:07 Craving soup, solitude, or a slower pace?

00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 That's not a flaw or laziness.

00:00:11 --> 00:00:15 It's intelligent design preparing you for the season ahead.

00:00:16 --> 00:00:20 Tune in for what neuroscience researchers say about your fall fatigue,

00:00:20 --> 00:00:21 cravings,

00:00:21 --> 00:00:22 and quiet moods.

00:00:25 --> 00:00:25 Hello,

00:00:25 --> 00:00:28 and welcome to Momo 634,

00:00:28 --> 00:00:32 a bite-sized podcast that's chock-full of inspiration,

00:00:32 --> 00:00:33 motivation,

00:00:33 --> 00:00:34 and positivity,

00:00:35 --> 00:00:38 straight from the intersection of faith and mental wellness.

00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 Please like, share, and subscribe.

00:00:42 --> 00:00:47 Momo 634, motivational moments just for today.

00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 I mentioned to a friend the other day how I'm feeling like a

00:01:00 --> 00:01:01 slug lately.

00:01:02 --> 00:01:06 Turns out there's a bit of science to that around this time of the year.

00:01:07 --> 00:01:12 As daylight shortens, your body begins its seasonal recalibration.

00:01:13 --> 00:01:14 According to Harvard Health,

00:01:14 --> 00:01:15 melatonin,

00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 the hormone that helps you sleep,

00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 starts rising earlier in the evening,

00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 nudging you toward rest.

00:01:23 --> 00:01:24 At the same time,

00:01:24 --> 00:01:28 as we've discussed in our episodes on seasonal affective disorder,

00:01:28 --> 00:01:29 or SAD,

00:01:30 --> 00:01:34 serotonin levels dip due to reduced sunlight exposure,

00:01:34 --> 00:01:37 which can lead to lower energy and mood.

00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 That afternoon slump?

00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 It's not just the weather.

00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 It's your circadian rhythm adjusting to less light.

00:01:46 --> 00:01:47 Even your appetite shifts.

00:01:49 --> 00:01:53 A 2006 study found that people tend to eat more in the fall and winter,

00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 especially carb-rich comfort foods.

00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 This isn't mere indulgence.

00:02:00 --> 00:02:04 It's your body seeking warmth and energy-dense fuel to meet its

00:02:04 --> 00:02:05 needs for the season.

00:02:06 --> 00:02:10 You may also notice more hair in your brush this time of year.

00:02:11 --> 00:02:16 Research published in Dermatoendrochronology confirms that hair

00:02:16 --> 00:02:17 follicles enter the

00:02:17 --> 00:02:18 telogen,

00:02:18 --> 00:02:19 or resting phase,

00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 in late summer and early fall,

00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 leading to increased shedding.

00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 It's temporary and normal.

00:02:28 --> 00:02:32 your skin also reacts to the drop in humidity and temperature.

00:02:33 --> 00:02:37 A study in Skin Research and Technology shows that cooler air

00:02:37 --> 00:02:38 reduces skin

00:02:38 --> 00:02:39 moisture,

00:02:39 --> 00:02:40 leading to dryness,

00:02:41 --> 00:02:41 tightness,

00:02:42 --> 00:02:42 and irritation.

00:02:43 --> 00:02:48 This is why your skin care routine often needs that seasonal upgrade.

00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 And what about metabolism?

00:02:51 --> 00:02:55 Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't necessarily slow down.

00:02:55 --> 00:02:56 In fact,

00:02:57 --> 00:03:01 research from Maastricht University suggests that it may

00:03:01 --> 00:03:02 increase slightly in

00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 colder months to help maintain body temperature.

00:03:06 --> 00:03:09 What does shift is your hunger hormones,

00:03:10 --> 00:03:11 ghrelin and leptin,

00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 which can drive you to eat more and store energy.

00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 Beyond the physical, fall invites emotional reflection.

00:03:20 --> 00:03:24 Less light and cooler weather naturally promote introspection

00:03:24 --> 00:03:25 and a desire for quiet.

00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 This doesn't just affect those with SAD.

00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 It's a deeper rhythm of release and renewal.

00:03:34 --> 00:03:34 Dr.

00:03:34 --> 00:03:35 Norman Rosenthal,

00:03:35 --> 00:03:39 who first identified seasonal affective disorder at the

00:03:39 --> 00:03:40 National Institute of

00:03:40 --> 00:03:40 Health,

00:03:41 --> 00:03:42 describes it as,

00:03:42 --> 00:03:42 quote,

00:03:42 --> 00:03:46 a predictable seasonal shift in mood and energy,

00:03:46 --> 00:03:47 end quote,

00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 that can be softened with light,

00:03:49 --> 00:03:50 warmth,

00:03:50 --> 00:03:51 and gentle structure.

00:03:53 --> 00:03:53 In scripture,

00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 we see this mirrored in the cycles of sowing and reaping,

00:03:57 --> 00:03:58 pruning and resting.

00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 Fall is a good time to pause,

00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 a time to recalibrate and shift,

00:04:04 --> 00:04:08 to ask ourselves what needs tending in the quiet moments.

00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 So if you find yourself craving naps,

00:04:12 --> 00:04:13 journaling,

00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 or pasta for a few nights in a row,

00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 as our family recently did,

00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 lean in.

00:04:21 --> 00:04:22 Light that aromatherapy candle.

00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 Take a walk at dusk.

00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 Let your body lead.

00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 What rhythm is your body nudging you toward?

00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 Share what you're noticing in the comments.

00:04:38 --> 00:04:39 Thanks for listening.

00:04:39 --> 00:04:43 To have episodes and or the daily Bible verse emailed,

00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 subscribe at momo634.com.

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00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 please become a premium Substack subscriber.

00:04:53 --> 00:04:54 Additionally,

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00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 Have a blessed day.