By Shelley Abrams
What is it about the Fall season that makes more than one-quarter of us choose it as our favorite season of the year, all other factors considered? Where I live, in the Pacific Northwest, the onset of Fall is not just a passing thing – you KNOW when it is Fall. It is like a curtain, or maybe even a wall, just fell on summer, crushing the warmth of that season until the next year. Fall usually comes out swinging, with cooler day and night temperatures, almost always some rain and strong winds, but equally brilliant blue cloud-dotted skies. In fact, the winds often come too soon to really enjoy the vibrant hues that Fall brings.
But still, people love Fall, or Autumn as some call it, and not just for aesthetic reasons. To many, it symbolizes change or a fresh start, as trees shed their leaves, stripped naked waiting for their rebirth in the spring. Children start school again, ready for a new year that will expand their horizons. It signals the start of the holiday season, which for so many brings joy and gatherings with family and friends.
I personally like Fall because I feel rejuvenated by the brisk air. I am always enthralled and excited, like a kid, when I see the various shades of orange, yellows and red on the trees. It makes me feel alive and hopeful for what’s to come. I love sitting on the hearth in front of the roaring fire in the fireplace, sipping on hot chocolate or mulled cider as it rains outside. Or cozied up on the sofa with a blanket and my favorite book or word game. Fall gives me a sense of peace, of solitude, of quiet. And when Thanksgiving rolls around, which to me indicates Fall is nearing the end of its run, gratitude rules the day! What more could you ask for?
Well as it turns out, Fall is also good for you and your health!
Love those spices that you indulge in during the Fall? That’s good, because studies show that certain smells associated with Fall can give your brain a boost. Let’s take cinnamon. According to a study by Wheeling Jesuit University, inhale that sweet aroma of cinnamon in your hot mulled cider or slice of apple pie and you just might increase your attention span or short-term memory. If you’re a guy who loves pumpkin spice, according to Dr. Alan Hirsch of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Center in Chicago, you’re one of 40% of men who find the scent stimulating. (And by the way, men also react well to vanilla and strawberry scents). If you want to reduce stress and sleep better, try adding some nutmeg to your day.
It’s well known that certain Fall foods have health-benefiting attributes. Take apples, for example. According to a 2008 study, not only do apples have high fiber which can help lower cholesterol, the smell of cooked apples may help ease headaches, especially migraines! Eat pumpkin and you hit a jackpot of fiber, antioxidants and important vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. Per the Harvard School of Public Health, you’ll also stimulate white blood cell activity. Make a kale salad (kale grows quite well here in the Pacific Northwest). It’s packed with lutein, which may help protect your eyes from macular degeneration, and indoles which are linked to decreased instances of certain cancers. Throw in some antioxidant-high pomegranate seeds for that extra boost of fiber, potassium and Vitamin C.
“Autumn colors reminds us we are all one dancing in the wind.”
~Lorin Morgan-Richards
And those Fall colors we all love? Take a drive, a walk or a bike ride to take in the colors. It will help you relax and most likely boost your mood if you’re feeling a little down. How? According to a 2011 neurological study on brain-based theories of beauty, it seems that just seeinFall colors treeg the beauty of the different colored leaves (any beauty actually) shifts the medial orbito frontal cortex (MoFC) part of your brain into relaxation mode.
The cooler Fall air lets you sleep better too. And it boosts your levels of norepinephrine, a hormone tied to pain suppression and increased energy when stressed. If it’s cloudy and cool outside, go for a brisk walk. Your mind will thank as you’ll feel more awake, think more clearly, and have potentially better memory recall.
So there you have it. My favorite time of year turns out to be good for you. What about you? Is Fall your favorite time of year? If so, what is about Fall that has you hooked? Share your comments below or drop us a line.