Science says: this is why you crave autumn

I look forward to autumn every year. You can wear a leather jacket again, it rains, and you can comfortably watch the best autumn series under a blanket. But why do we always look forward to this season? And no, it's not just the beautiful orange colors, warm sweaters, and pumpkin spiced lattes. There is another psychological reason behind it.

Your brain craves safety

Huh? What? That might sound a bit strange, but you have to see it this way: all year long you run around to be on time for work, to go to that nice restaurant, and to meet up with your friends. No matter how many cosmopolitans you drink, at some point it just becomes too much hustle. Your brain craves calm. For a safe situation with a clear rhythm. You seek out the softer side of life. In autumn, it seems for a reason that the world stands still a bit, because the weather calms us down. The rain soothes you, the cold makes you dress warmly, and most importantly: it keeps you cozy indoors. You prefer a quiet walk with the dog over a whole day of shopping.

Your body calms down from rain

There is a reason why you find the sounds of rain so soothing: it is really good for you. Okay, you don't become zen if you get caught in a downpour after work and come home soaking wet. But when you're indoors, rain really does have a calming effect. British research shows that the sounds of rain help your brain relax more and improve your focus. And yes, what does it do in autumn? It rains.

You are less easily overstimulated in autumn

Instead of that bright sun in your face all day until ten o'clock in the evening, you have much moodier light in autumn. The soft gray color is much nicer for your eyes and gives you fewer stimuli. Of course, it also plays a role that you simply do less. Instead of being on the terrace every evening, spontaneous ice cream outings, and festivals, you now spend more time indoors. You go home sooner and most likely sleep more. So it's not strange that you receive fewer stimuli. You have less to process, and that's why you crave autumn. It costs you less energy.

That warm drink really helps you

A nice warm cup of tea, a steaming cup of coffee, or a mug of hot chocolate is the choice in autumn. It's cold outside, so you really don't feel like an iced drink or cold iced tea. It's logical that you make this choice, but there is also a real reason behind it. Unconsciously, you tend to seek comfort during these dark days. That's why you choose a thick blanket and a warm winter coat: they protect you from the cold and give you a feeling of safety. Just like a hug. Drinking a lot of warm drinks gives you a sense of security. The routine gives your body rest, because while sitting quietly and drinking, you come to relaxation. That's why you enjoy warm drinks in autumn. So, do you ever feel guilty because you order a warm coffee in a too nice café again? There's absolutely no need for that.

You can recharge better

No, you are not a phone – but because all these things give you a feeling of safety, you can recharge from all the energy you have lost. Not real electricity, as I said, but figuratively of course. Through daily life with all its interactions and stimuli, you become tired. Everything you have experienced needs to be processed, and that goes much better when you come to rest. You can relax better under a blanket with a cup of tea than on a terrace in the sun.

Autumn feels like a new start

Besides all these physical reasons why you look forward to autumn, there is also a psychological reason why this is your favorite season. Our whole lives we are drilled that we start anew in autumn. From grade 1 to your last year of education: there is a summer vacation and then the new school year begins. Just like dogs learn when they get a treat, your brain has unconsciously learned that after summer a new start follows. Therefore, it feels like autumn is the beginning of a fresh start. A chance to improve yourself, to pick up that one hobby you haven't done in years. A chance to make up for arguments, or finally pursue your dreams. Oh, by the way, a fun fact: that's why series and movies where the main characters go to school, like One Tree Hill, Pretty Little Liars, or Dawson’s Creek, are always (and specifically in autumn) popular. It's a system you know and in which you feel safe.

So. Do people complain to you because as soon as September 1st is on the calendar, you take the warm blankets from the attic and continuously drink tea? Let them talk, you can't help it. (And jokes on them; it's very healthy for you.)