When you're a kid, there's no question which season is the best; how could you possibly beat summer?
But as you get older and your views get a little bit more nuanced (and you start paying the electric bill for that A/C unit,) summer starts to lose its luster.
Meanwhile, fall, which once meant back to school and flu shots, becomes more and more appealing!
All that fresh crisp air; all those beautiful colors; all the pumpkin-spice coffee you could possible drink!
And on top of all of the simple pleasures of autumn, it could also be doing incredible things for your health!
Sure, we might be slowly but surely settling into hibernation mode as the days get shorter, but during the fall, the conditions are just right for our mental and physical health to be better than ever.
Scroll through the gallery below to learn all of the reasons that fall is the healthiest season of all!
Autumn Health Perk #1: Your Sleep Will Grow Deeper
In the autumn, sunrise comes later and sunset comes earlier every single day.
The dip in available sunlight triggers different adjustments in our bodies' circadian rhythms, which will reset to make you sleepy earlier.
It's also been proven that lower temperatures help us sleep better, so just crack your window on a cool fall night for the best sleep ever.
Autumn Health Perk #2: Fall Colors Promote Mental Health
When you're feeling "down," there's no faster way to pick up your mood than to step outside.
Not only does a hit of Vitamin D do incredible things for our serotonin levels, but there's something innately soothing about being in the fresh air and looking at nature.
In autumn, when the landscape is especially beautiful and colorful, the sight of bright leaves will dramatically and immediately boost your happiness and mental health.
Autumn Health Perk #3: Seasonal Spices Improve Overall Wellness
You can't have autumn comfort food without plenty of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Fortunately, all three of these spices are delicious, and they improve your whole body health.
Nutmeg has germ-killing properties, ginger improves the circulation, and cinnamon is linked to lower inflammation levels!
Autumn Health Perk #4: Your Love Life Ramps Up
They say that spring is the season for falling in love, but fall might be the season for making love.
Not only do you find yourself snuggled up under the blankets an awful lot, but the the body's testosterone levels reach their peak in the autumn.
Higher testosterone levels are linked to increased sex drive in men and women, so don't be surprised if your libido kicks up a notch this fall.
Autumn Health Perk #5: Say Goodbye To Brain Fog
"Brain fog" is a general term for malaise and fuzzy-headed feelings that affects all of us from time to time.
In the summer, it's easy to feel brain-fogged from the heat, but the crisp clear air of fall does wonders for clearing the cobwebs.
It might be a bit of placebo effect, but lots of people find that bracing feeling of cold fall air helps break up the fog and get their brains going again!
Autumn Health Perk #6: You’ll Get Out More
We normally associate getting outside with the summer, but just think — how many summer days do you spend in the A/C, trying to avoid the stifling heat?
In the autumn, you might not be hitting the beach, but you're much more likely to go hiking or walking, play a round of golf, or engage in a game of touch-football with friends.
All of that built-in exercise is more appealing because of the lovely weather, and it can improve your metabolism and your overall health.
Autumn Health Perk #7: It Brings Us Together
On a cold night, with the frost just gathering on the glass, is there anything better than snuggling up under a blanket with a loved on and watching a movie?
Whether you're cozying up to your partner, your kids, your pets — or some combination of the three — there's nothing more comforting than a fall night in.
Plus, all of that physical contact boosts our oxytocin levels, and makes us bond more closely with the people we're hibernating with!
Autumn Health Perk #8: There’s Lots To Look Forward To
We all love Thanksgiving, Halloween, and shopping for Christmas presents in the fall, but there's one thing we love even more: anticipating all of those activities.
It's true that humans derive more pleasure from anticipating a fun activity than they do from actually doing it.
Fall is great for this because you have so much to plan and look forward to, which makes us happy and boosts our serotonin levels for the most contented season of them all!
Have you experienced any of the healthy benefits of fall before? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to SHARE these fun facts with everyone who loves fall!
