What kind of person are you, those who love the cozy feeling of autumn or those who feel dumped when fall comes? Autumn equals falling down the leaves, colder weather, shorter days, and longer nights. Then, it is normal to change both mentally and physically in this season.
Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is what millions of people experience when fall comes. Some others, experience milder cases and feel down in the dumps. Autumn anxiety can happen to everyone, it may be surprising but it can cause weight gain. In this blog post, we discuss how autumn stress can affect your weight gain. After that, we give you wellness tips to control autumn stress and stay balanced in this beautiful season of the year.
What is Autumn Stress?
Sometimes we realize it and sometimes we don’t, but changing seasons can affect us mentally in profound ways. Each season brings its own set of challenges and advantages, but autumn can be particularly difficult for some. It is a beautiful season with stunning fall colors and pumpkin-spice everything. But that’s not all because for some people it has unexpected stress and anxiety.
As days become shorter and darker, you’ll notice some changes in your mind and behavior. For example, turning in for bed more than ever and eating out of boredom. If you feel like this don’t worry, you’re not alone. It is more common than you think but symptoms vary for different people. Some of the most obvious ones include feelings of sadness or anxiety, poor focus, irritability, fatigue, sleepiness, and a lack of interest in daily activities. By the way, it’s good to know that it is not only colder seasons that make people stressed. Interestingly, some people experience SAD in reverse, feeling better in winter and worse in summer.
Read also about What is the 30-30-30 rule?
Causes of Stress in Autumn
The results of stress in autumn can make you gain weight! Because the more you feel stressed, the more you eat and the more you become inactive. Also, stress makes your body store fat, especially belly fat and you’ll need to do the best exercises to burn belly fat. if you know what causes your stress in this season, you can find ways to overcome stress sooner. Your stress can come from:
- High Production of Melatonin: Melatonin production increases with shorter days, promoting sleep. This might make us feel exhausted and depressed, especially if we have SAD.
- Low Serotonin Production: Serotonin is a hormone that makes us feel good. We require sunlight to make it. Less sunlight in the fall means less serotonin, which can lead to depression and overeating.
- Disruption of Circadian Rhythm: Our bodies use sunlight to determine when to sleep and wake up. Less sunlight in the fall might disrupt our sleep patterns and make us feel anxious.
- Longer nights and shorter days: Less sunlight in fall can make us feel tired and sad because it affects the hormones that help us sleep and feel good.
- Vitamin D Deficiency: We obtain vitamin D from sunlight. Less sunlight in the fall can cause us to feel gloomy and exhausted.
- Transitional Season Stress: Returning to school or work after a relaxing summer can be stressful. Feeling like you didn’t do enough over the summer can also be depressing.
Read more about Hormonal Weight Gain
How Stress Makes You Gain Weight
The American Psychological Association (APA) says that stress can be bad for us mentally and physically. Not only stress can make us eat more unhealthy foods, but also it releases a hormone called cortisol which is one of the reasons for gaining weight, especially around the belly area. In this case, you can consider belly fat removal without surgery. Eating unhealthy foods and being stressed can mess with our sleeping habits which also cause weight gain.
When you are anxious, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode (The body’s response to stress or danger, which prepares it to fight or flee from a threat, involving changes such as a higher heart rate, faster breathing, and muscle tension). This slows down digestion and raises your blood sugar levels. If you are constantly stressed, your body will be unable to reset, leading to insulin resistance and increased belly fat. Stress can also cause you to seek unhealthy meals and interfere with hormones that regulate your appetite. This can make weight loss for women and men more difficult.
That’s how stress can make you gain weight. But don’t worry, because we have tips to reduce stress in autumn.
Relate article: The 80-20 Diet rule
Wellness Tips to Stay Balanced in Autumn
While there are many reasons to feel blue in autumn for some people, there are many simple and effective ways to get rid of autumn stress. In this case, not only don’t you gain weight in this session but also you can stay healthy and fit. All you need to do is to incorporate healthy self-care activities into your life. As a result, you observe big changes in your emotions and energy levels. If you don’t know how to start, we have these tips for you:
1- Plan your days
So, do you want to relax throughout the fall? Plan your day! Fall is a busy season, so plan early and stay organized for work or school. Make a list of the tasks you need to complete or utilize a planner. Get up and go to bed at an exact time and make a plan for what you’ll do. This will relieve stress and make you feel more in control. It will also help you cope with the fall blues. Don’t forget to give yourself some time to rest and avoid exhaustion.
2- Spend time outside
Get outside and enjoy the autumn! A walk in nature can help you relax, feel better, and think clearly. The chilly air and beautiful leaves are wonderful. Try to spend time outside every day, even if it’s just sitting in the sun. Nature has the power to elevate your spirits, especially when things are down.
3- Try something new
Fall is an excellent time to try something new! Whether it’s a hobby you’ve been putting off or something completely different, experiencing new activities can provide a boost and make you feel wonderful. It’s an excellent way to switch up the routine, especially as the days get shorter. If you want to try something that cheers you up and helps you lose fat, yoga for weight loss can be a good option.
4- Get professional help when needed
It’s quite normal to feel down from time to time, but if you’re feeling particularly down and it’s interfering with your life, it may be time to get help. A psychologist or therapist can assist you in dealing with seasonal anxiety and provide mood management methods. They can help you understand your emotions and identify coping strategies, making it easier to get through the fall.
5- Make time for what you love
Do what you love! It’s recommended to schedule time for activities that make you joyful. Self-care should include activities that make you happy, such as reading a book, watching a movie, or spending time with friends. Don’t feel bad about enjoying yourself, and allow yourself to do things that make you happy. Don’t forget, you don’t need fancy entertainment. Watching movies on fall nights is so enjoyable and can chill you up.
6- Focus on self-compassion
Be gentle to yourself! Fall may really screw with your emotions, and that’s fine. Everyone experiences seasonal changes differently, so don’t compare yourself to others. Be patient with yourself, and you’ll have an easier time getting through this.
Related article: NAD+ IV Therapy for PTSD
7- Get more light
Get more sunlight! With shorter days, it’s crucial to spend time outside when the sun shines, especially in the morning. If that is difficult, consider using a light therapy box. It could make you feel better if you have SAD. This simple action might help you feel happier and more energetic all season.
8- Exercise daily
Get moving! Exercise is the best way to maintain balance in the fall. A big part of autumn stress and weight gain is connected to being inactive and exercising can make a big change! It will make you feel better and help your body fight illness. If you try best cardio to lose weight, you can enjoy happy music and dance-like movements that can chill you up!
Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes per day, whether it’s walking, riding, or working out indoors. Exercise can help you manage stress, reduce anxiety, and combat the sluggishness that comes with falls. Going to the gym can help you find new friends and stay connected with people as well as staying fit and healthy.
9- Change your diet
Consume good meals! Fall is an excellent time to eat warm, nutritious meals. Try seasonal vegetables such as pumpkins, squash, and root vegetables. They provide comfort while also being beneficial to your health. Stay comfy by eating soups, stews, and other warm meals.
Eat enough of lean protein, healthy fats, and whole grains to stay energized and satisfied. If you want to know more about weight loss in the cold seasons, what to eat, and what to avoid, read our blog post about weight loss in the winter.
10- Embrace the cozy side of autumn
Fall is not all about being blue! Enjoy the comfortable side of fall! Instead of missing summer, focus on the positive aspects of autumn. Enjoy indoor activities such as reading, cooking, and adorning your home with fall items such as blankets, candles, and seasonal decorations. This can help you focus on the wonderful aspects of fall, make you feel less depressed, and create a sense of warmth and comfort in your house. All the seasons shouldn’t be alike, and these changes made life more beautiful.
Combat Autumn Stress and Weight Gain with Non-Invasive Weight Loss Treatments
Feeling stressed, gaining weight, and feeling more stressed because of that! If this happened in autumn for you, we have your back. Here at Elegant Hoopoe, we offer non-surgical body sculpting treatments to help you get rid of extra fat. Our CoolSculpting and fat-freezing treatments will be done without surgery. So, you feel no pain, no bother, and there will be no downtime or side effects. We also provide Slimming Programs and other body-reshaping options to help you feel more confident and balanced. If stress is causing you to eat more or less than normal, our treatments can help.
