Your body through the seasons: balancing energy, skin and mood
Why do the seasons affect how I feel?
During the winter months, we often feel a bit gloomy, but as soon as spring arrives, that changes completely. You feel better, happier and eager to do things again, but how does that actually work? Our bodies live according to a biological rhythm that depends on light, temperature and day length. The short, dark days of winter or the long, light summer days affect your hormones, sleep and energy levels. By understanding how your body reacts, you can be more conscious of your energy, sleep and health. We are happy to explain more in this blog.
How does daylight affect our mood in winter and autumn?
In autumn, the days get shorter and the evenings get longer. Due to the dropping temperatures, your body feels like it has less energy: you feel sluggish in the morning and have less energy in the afternoon. During this period, many people also crave comfort food and want to sleep longer. Cold weather and limited daylight cause more people to catch colds or the flu, because the immune response slows down. Both physically and mentally, your body is preparing for winter.
Your brain has an internal clock that is controlled by light. When you have an office job or another job that keeps you indoors all day, there is a good chance that you will get little sunlight. When it gets dark, your body produces melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy. When it gets dark earlier, this biological clock is disrupted, which can cause you to have less energy, feel more tired or become gloomy.
Your skin also changes noticeably. The cold and dry air make your skin more sensitive, which can lead to flaking, itching or redness. This is because sebum production decreases, leaving your skin with less of a protective layer of oil. Moisturise your skin in winter by using a thick cream, drink lots of water, and avoid hot showers so your skin doesn't dry out even more.
Why do we feel happier in spring and summer?
Once spring arrives and the sun starts shining, you notice a difference in your energy levels, skin and mood. Everything feels lighter, you are happier and you feel like going outside. In spring, your body produces more vitamin D, which helps prevent deficiencies in winter. Vitamin D is important for strong bones and teeth, but also plays a crucial role in a healthy immune system and properly functioning muscles. Make sure you get out in the sun as much as possible in spring! But don't forget to apply sunscreen, because too much exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. It is recommended that you spend at least fifteen minutes outside every day. Leave your head and hands uncovered to ensure good absorption of sunlight.
Sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, which makes you feel happier and affects your appetite, sleep and mood. This substance also regulates the dopamine system, the substance responsible for feeling good. And while melatonin makes you sleepy as soon as it gets dark in winter, in spring it can actually make you feel more alert and energetic during the day.
Your skin often feels dry and irritated in winter, but in warmer weather it hydrates more easily and feels more smooth. Vitamin D stimulates blood flow and in warm temperatures your skin renews itself more quickly, making it glow in spring and summer. Protect your skin from the sun and be aware of pollen; it can cause hay fever sufferers to sneeze, have itchy eyes and a blocked nose. Spring gives you fresh, more supple skin, but it requires extra care.
In spring and summer, we often automatically feel more like exercising, in whatever way. Whether you walk, run, cycle, do gardening or something else, it all contributes to your cardiovascular health and stimulates your metabolism. Regular outdoor exercise increases your energy and activates your happiness hormones. Even short walks or bike rides help improve your mood and keep your body active.
Enjoy every season!
In summary, our biological clock follows the seasons, which affects our energy, skin, mood and hormones. By paying attention to daylight, exercise and skin care, you can get the most out of every season. This will make you feel healthier and allow you to fully enjoy what each season has to offer. Are you curious about how your body reacts to happiness? Check out The Happiness Project at BODY WORLDS Amsterdam!
