September can be a precious month for many people to reorganize themselves and prepare for a new season and the changes it brings. Those who welcome September are often divided into two groups: those who are happy that summer is over and those who are saddened by it.
Although the ways we welcome it may differ, for many people the feelings of preparing for a new chapter in life with a new season make themselves felt through what is happening around us. Children preparing for school, people boiling tomatoes, employees getting ready for a new term… All these affect our emotions through the possibility of change. The changes we observe in people around us are also accompanied by the changes we witness in nature: falling leaves, the breeze we begin to feel, new landscapes dominated by orange, the longing for the cold… Considering all this, how does it affect our psychology, what changes take place? How does it impact people?
Physiological and Psychological Effects of Autumn
The changes we feel are not only psychological but also physiological. The changes in nature mentioned in the previous paragraph also mean new stimuli for the brain. Feeling the wind, smelling the rain, the return of longed-for colors… These new stimuli also show their effects in our brains. Studies show that all these stimuli can increase neurogenesis and repair of neurons in the brain.
Moreover, the benefits of autumn for our physiology do not stop there. It has also been found that watching autumn landscapes relaxes the autonomic nervous system and positively affects brain activity (Kostelic, 2024). According to another finding, an academic study conducted with 27 women in their 20s showed that exposure to natural autumn landscapes improves mood by increasing natural stimuli (Jo et al., 2022). Another study suggests that autumn landscapes may have a stronger therapeutic effect if they increase color and contrast.
Seasonality and Mental Health
Alongside all these positive effects, the concept of seasonality also comes to the forefront. Seasonality is defined as the degree to which one is affected by changing seasonal conditions. A study conducted in Turkey revealed that an increase in seasonality not only boosts positive affect but even increases helpfulness (Canıöz, 2025). Although the etiology of all these positive elements remains uncertain, Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory, proposed in the 1980s, has been found meaningful. The soft fascination we are exposed to in autumn (elements of nature that draw human attention “gently, without forcing”) leads to a reduction in mental fatigue (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1995). A reduction in mental fatigue, in turn, can lead to many positive outcomes. In fact, according to this theory, exposure to such soft attention stimuli in autumn may even increase our attentional capacity.
Maximizing the Benefits of Autumn
In summary, the productivity of autumn comes from watching the landscapes it creates and being exposed to these stimuli. If the wind we feel on our face, the smell of rain, and watching the falling leaves are combined with short walks whose benefits we know, we can make the most of the positive changes autumn brings and relax our nervous system.
However, if the other side of autumn is not considered, it is also possible to face the negative effects of change. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is an important example at this point. With the decrease in sunlight, changes in melatonin and serotonin metabolism may occur, which can lead to increased sleep duration, loss of energy, and social withdrawal (Munir et al., 2024). The literature also states that seasonal transitions, especially by affecting the sleep–wake cycle and daily biological rhythms (circadian rhythm), can lay the groundwork for psychological difficulties (Anderson et al., 1994).
Conclusion
The autumn season can influence individuals’ psychological and physiological processes in two directions. While exposure to natural stimuli reduces mental fatigue and supports attentional capacity and psychological well-being, changes in light and biological rhythm balance may pave the way for negative affect. Therefore, to enhance the positive effects that autumn offers and to reduce potential risks, regular contact with nature, healthy sleep habits, and mindfulness-based approaches are of great importance.