By Christy Riggs
Published in The Burg September 29, 2022
So here we are. It’s September. Days are getting shorter. We’ve had a taste of cooler temps, some trees are starting to turn. For a lot of us (when I say “us”, it’s me. I’m us), the “end of summer blues” have set in. No more pool days, relaxed schedules, tank tops and flip flops, beach vacations, suntanned skin, hilarious attempts at putting on warm, soft or downright melted lipstick left in your vehicle, no more top down Jeep rides, backyard and deck gatherings. Now it’s dealing with the “days getting darker earlier, they’re shorter, battling gigumbus spiders and their massive webs, pumpkin lattes, falling leaves and wondering ‘should I just go to bed? It’s gotta be 11 p.m.’ only to realize it’s just 6:30 p.m.” season.
As much as it pains me to do so, [being the summer person I am], let’s try and look at the positives for our new season…the dreaded, rotten “F” word…Fall. Whoops. I was trying to stay positive. Ok…positives about Fall:
Fall = A rise in oxygen which tends to release more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes happiness. (Who knew?)
“People’s happiness declines as temperatures rise above 70 degrees or fall below 50 degrees.” (Scientifically proven fact.)
Halloween and scary movies.
Fall is synonymous with pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon.
Not only are these flavors generally found in hot drinks and foods, which are comforting in themselves, their smells are what actually makes them so coveted.
Sleep is also a health advantage during fall. During fall our bodies get more rest. Although we only gain one hour of sleep, it does wonders for a person’s overall health.
Fall is considered to be the season of change. Make this a fall of positive transitions and great memories while maintaining your health.
Fall’s colorful leaves brings about feelings of warmth, richness, comfort and calmness, and is the season that is best suited to stress relief
Leaves form a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and fertilizes the soil as it breaks down
Football, Bon fires and S’mores, oh my!
Better fashion and my personal favorite, hoodies.
Pumpkin EVERYTHING. If you love pumpkins, you are in your happy place
Delicious desserts - Fall is one of the best times of year for sweets.
So what have I learned through this? I've learned that crazy fall people are no different than us crazy summer people. While I get giddy over the smell and feel of the ocean, sunscreen and pina coladas, fall lovers get the same emotional responses over pumpkin spice and comfy sweaters. The smells, sights, and sensations of fall give you all sorts of scientifically-backed, feel-good emotions, and there's nothing better than that. So embrace it and know that science has the evidence for it. As for me? I’ll embrace it the best I can while carving a palm tree for my front porch pumpkin/fall decor, and booking my next beach trip…SOON.