How Seasons Affect Your Mood
With spring weather approaching in just a few weeks, the arrival of the new season can represent feelings of hope, excitement, and joy for the new beginnings that come with the turn of the season. The mundane and dreary winters can provoke sadness, fatigue, and lethargy as each cold, grey day blends into another. These feelings are often referred to as “the winter blues.” Although these feelings are usually written off to stem from preferring warm weather over cold, psychologists have explored the impact seasons can have on one’s mood and perspective of their surroundings and themselves, and their findings are rather interesting.
According to the Health Library, seasonal changes can significantly affect mental and physical health. This is attributed to the contrasting characteristics of winter and spring and the impact these seasonal features have on our well-being. A primary difference between spring and winter is the dramatically reduced sunlight exposure. Sunlight exposure promotes serotonin production in the brain by stimulating the retina, light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye that translates light into nerve signals, which, as a result, signals the brain to release the neurotransmitter. Sunlight exposure also enhances mood by activating vitamin D production in the skin, which has also been linked to mood regulation and serotonin levels. Less sunlight in winter and fall can disrupt the brain’s circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock) and impact serotonin levels, which are boosted by sunlight exposure. This disruption can lead to imbalances in sleep and energy, influence serotonin levels, and decrease vitamin D production. A disrupted circadian rhythm has been proven to contribute to feelings of sadness and depression.
Another study from the University of Michigan supports the positive mood transitions from warmer spring temperatures and weather. A phenomenon described as “spring fever ” represents the surge of positive and uplifting emotions often experienced by individuals with the arrival of spring. This results from increased sunlight exposure, which has been proven to improve overall mood. Furthermore, warmer weather has been linked to enhanced mood and refined cognitive functions, encouraging receptivity to new information and creative ideas. As weather conditions improve, outdoor physical activity, such as walking, biking, hiking, and running, becomes more accessible and enjoyable. An increase in physical activity has been associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as improved endorphin levels, a hormone released by the body that acts as a mood booster, therefore leading to enhanced mood overall.
Given the evidence from the sources above, it is evident how strongly humans are influenced by the conditions of their surroundings and how these environmental circumstances play a significant role in one’s mental health. With brighter days right around the corner, this gives us hope for a more optimistic perspective on our surrounding environment and an improved mood as life begins to reemerge into the atmosphere. These weather changes also remind us that summer days are on the horizon!
Works Cited:
How much impact do changing seasons have on our moods? (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://care-clinics.com/how-much-impact-do-changing-seasons-have-on-our-moods/
Cirelli, C. (2024, October 21). How the changing seasons affect your mood. Peak Behavioral Health. https://peakbehavioral.com/how-the-changing-seasons-affect-your-mood/
Reporter, H. Q., Senior News, & Quinones, H. (2025, February 2). Students face seasonal mental health challenges. The Battalion. https://thebatt.com/news/students-face-seasonal-mental-health-challenges/
Warm weather boosts mood, broadens the mind. (2004, October 4). University of Michigan News. https://news.umich.edu/warm-weather-boosts-mood-broadens-the-mind/
What are the benefits of sunlight? (2018, May 25). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/benefits-sunlight