We know that for your mental and physical wellbeing, your weight is not the most important factor. After all, the number on the scale is the least interesting thing about you! That being said, with the change of seasons, you may notice certain changes. These can be in your appetite, sleeping patterns, mood, and that number on the scale. It’s not only the time of day that matters, as we discussed in previous articles, but also the time of the year affects how we eat!
By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll know all about how and why those weight changes happen. At the end, we will go through some tips that can help us stay ahead of the game, guide our internal rhythm, and improve our wellbeing.
So why do weight changes happen?
As the days get shorter and colder, our bodies start to prepare for winter, just like bears hibernate in their caves. That’s pretty cool, right? We’re also quite sensitive to changes in light and temperature. This means that in the colder months we tend to eat more food and our meals get bigger. Researchers have even found that our average calorie intake in the fall can be 222 calories higher than in the spring! Scientists have found genes in humans that are like hibernation genes in animals. This may help explain why we experience these changes in our eating behavior and appetite. So don’t worry if you feel like you’re eating more during the fall! This is just your body’s way of preparing for the colder months ahead while making sure you are safe. Just remember to keep eating healthy meals and staying active to take care of your overall wellbeing all year. 1-4
Your mood, the seasons, and food
Have you ever noticed how your mood changes with the seasons? When it’s warm and sunny outside, you might feel more energized and happier. All you want to do is be outside and enjoy the sun! But when it’s cold and dark, you might feel tired and down. It might be harder to complete certain tasks or to sleep, and it may make you more hungry. Overall, you are not yourself. This is totally normal, and it happens to a lot of people! In fact, some people experience SAD (seasonal affective disorder), which can make them feel even worse during the cold months. But the good news is, there are things we can do to help ourselves feel better and improve our mental wellbeing. For instance, getting outside and getting some natural light, especially in the morning, really helps. It will help regulate hormones and make sure you sleep well in the evening. You can also try eating healthy foods and staying active with some sports or activities that you enjoy doing. And if you’re really struggling, you can talk to your doctor about trying bright light therapy. Studies have shown that it makes a big difference in our mood! Keep in mind that taking care of yourself and your well-being is important all year round, and to be patient and caring with yourself. 5
What are some tips and tricks you can try?
If you want to take care of your wellbeing during the colder seasons, there are a few things you can try to help yourself feel better. First, try to get a good amount of sleep each night. It’s good to aim for 7-9 hours. Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule and avoid bright light exposure at night, which means it’s best to limit the use of devices too close to bedtime. Sleeping in total darkness can also help you get better quality sleep. And if you need a nap during the day, that’s okay too. Short naps in the afternoon won’t hurt our nighttime sleep, contrary to popular belief. It’s also a good idea to make breakfast or lunch our biggest meal of the day, and to avoid eating or exercising right before bed. This may mess up your internal rhythm and your sleep. Instead, taking short walks in the morning sun helps us get our fix of natural light and is an easy way to stay active too. So, by following these tips, we can improve our wellbeing and stay ahead of the game for the changes that come with the colder months. 6-7
Take-home message
The changing of the seasons is a natural and beautiful thing, and so are the changes that our bodies go through to keep us in sync with the world around us! It’s important to be aware of these changes in how we eat and feel and to understand why they happen. That way, we can use this knowledge to be kind and patient with ourselves. Remember that it’s okay to feel different and to take care of ourselves in different ways throughout the year. Let your body take the lead, and always do what feels right for you! By trying some of the tips we talked about, like getting enough sleep and staying active, you can improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Thus, you can prepare yourself for the changes that come with the drop in temperature. So don’t worry if you’re feeling a little different this time of year – embrace the changes and take care of yourself!
Tips – bullet point summary
- aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night
- take afternoon naps if you feel like you need them
- make breakfast and/or lunch the biggest meals of the day
- avoid eating or exercising too close to bedtime, or too much screen time
- take morning walks when the sun is out
Sign up for our newsletter
Follow our story
Why we’re heavier in colder seasons and why it’s okay?
As the seasons change, you may notice changes in your appetite, sleep, mood, and even weight. The time of year affects how we eat too!
October 1st, 2023
We know that for your mental and physical wellbeing, your weight is not the most important factor. After all, the number on the scale is the least interesting thing about you! That being said, with the change of seasons, you may notice certain changes. These can be in your appetite, sleeping patterns, mood, and that number on the scale. It’s not only the time of day that matters, as we discussed in previous articles, but also the time of the year affects how we eat!
By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll know all about how and why those weight changes happen. At the end, we will go through some tips that can help us stay ahead of the game, guide our internal rhythm, and improve our wellbeing.
So why do weight changes happen?
As the days get shorter and colder, our bodies start to prepare for winter, just like bears hibernate in their caves. That’s pretty cool, right? We’re also quite sensitive to changes in light and temperature. This means that in the colder months we tend to eat more food and our meals get bigger. Researchers have even found that our average calorie intake in the fall can be 222 calories higher than in the spring! Scientists have found genes in humans that are like hibernation genes in animals. This may help explain why we experience these changes in our eating behavior and appetite. So don’t worry if you feel like you’re eating more during the fall! This is just your body’s way of preparing for the colder months ahead while making sure you are safe. Just remember to keep eating healthy meals and staying active to take care of your overall wellbeing all year. 1-4
Your mood, the seasons, and food
Have you ever noticed how your mood changes with the seasons? When it’s warm and sunny outside, you might feel more energized and happier. All you want to do is be outside and enjoy the sun! But when it’s cold and dark, you might feel tired and down. It might be harder to complete certain tasks or to sleep, and it may make you more hungry. Overall, you are not yourself. This is totally normal, and it happens to a lot of people! In fact, some people experience SAD (seasonal affective disorder), which can make them feel even worse during the cold months. But the good news is, there are things we can do to help ourselves feel better and improve our mental wellbeing. For instance, getting outside and getting some natural light, especially in the morning, really helps. It will help regulate hormones and make sure you sleep well in the evening. You can also try eating healthy foods and staying active with some sports or activities that you enjoy doing. And if you’re really struggling, you can talk to your doctor about trying bright light therapy. Studies have shown that it makes a big difference in our mood! Keep in mind that taking care of yourself and your well-being is important all year round, and to be patient and caring with yourself. 5
What are some tips and tricks you can try?
If you want to take care of your wellbeing during the colder seasons, there are a few things you can try to help yourself feel better. First, try to get a good amount of sleep each night. It’s good to aim for 7-9 hours. Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule and avoid bright light exposure at night, which means it’s best to limit the use of devices too close to bedtime. Sleeping in total darkness can also help you get better quality sleep. And if you need a nap during the day, that’s okay too. Short naps in the afternoon won’t hurt our nighttime sleep, contrary to popular belief. It’s also a good idea to make breakfast or lunch our biggest meal of the day, and to avoid eating or exercising right before bed. This may mess up your internal rhythm and your sleep. Instead, taking short walks in the morning sun helps us get our fix of natural light and is an easy way to stay active too. So, by following these tips, we can improve our wellbeing and stay ahead of the game for the changes that come with the colder months. 6-7
Take-home message
The changing of the seasons is a natural and beautiful thing, and so are the changes that our bodies go through to keep us in sync with the world around us! It’s important to be aware of these changes in how we eat and feel and to understand why they happen. That way, we can use this knowledge to be kind and patient with ourselves. Remember that it’s okay to feel different and to take care of ourselves in different ways throughout the year. Let your body take the lead, and always do what feels right for you! By trying some of the tips we talked about, like getting enough sleep and staying active, you can improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Thus, you can prepare yourself for the changes that come with the drop in temperature. So don’t worry if you’re feeling a little different this time of year – embrace the changes and take care of yourself!
Tips – bullet point summary
- aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night
- take afternoon naps if you feel like you need them
- make breakfast and/or lunch the biggest meals of the day
- avoid eating or exercising too close to bedtime, or too much screen time
- take morning walks when the sun is out
We know that for your mental and physical wellbeing, your weight is not the most important factor. After all, the number on the scale is the least interesting thing about you! That being said, with the change of seasons, you may notice certain changes. These can be in your appetite, sleeping patterns, mood, and that number on the scale. It’s not only the time of day that matters, as we discussed in previous articles, but also the time of the year affects how we eat!
By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll know all about how and why those weight changes happen. At the end, we will go through some tips that can help us stay ahead of the game, guide our internal rhythm, and improve our wellbeing.
So why do weight changes happen?
As the days get shorter and colder, our bodies start to prepare for winter, just like bears hibernate in their caves. That’s pretty cool, right? We’re also quite sensitive to changes in light and temperature. This means that in the colder months we tend to eat more food and our meals get bigger. Researchers have even found that our average calorie intake in the fall can be 222 calories higher than in the spring! Scientists have found genes in humans that are like hibernation genes in animals. This may help explain why we experience these changes in our eating behavior and appetite. So don’t worry if you feel like you’re eating more during the fall! This is just your body’s way of preparing for the colder months ahead while making sure you are safe. Just remember to keep eating healthy meals and staying active to take care of your overall wellbeing all year. 1-4
Your mood, the seasons, and food
Have you ever noticed how your mood changes with the seasons? When it’s warm and sunny outside, you might feel more energized and happier. All you want to do is be outside and enjoy the sun! But when it’s cold and dark, you might feel tired and down. It might be harder to complete certain tasks or to sleep, and it may make you more hungry. Overall, you are not yourself. This is totally normal, and it happens to a lot of people! In fact, some people experience SAD (seasonal affective disorder), which can make them feel even worse during the cold months. But the good news is, there are things we can do to help ourselves feel better and improve our mental wellbeing. For instance, getting outside and getting some natural light, especially in the morning, really helps. It will help regulate hormones and make sure you sleep well in the evening. You can also try eating healthy foods and staying active with some sports or activities that you enjoy doing. And if you’re really struggling, you can talk to your doctor about trying bright light therapy. Studies have shown that it makes a big difference in our mood! Keep in mind that taking care of yourself and your well-being is important all year round, and to be patient and caring with yourself. 5
What are some tips and tricks you can try?
If you want to take care of your wellbeing during the colder seasons, there are a few things you can try to help yourself feel better. First, try to get a good amount of sleep each night. It’s good to aim for 7-9 hours. Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule and avoid bright light exposure at night, which means it’s best to limit the use of devices too close to bedtime. Sleeping in total darkness can also help you get better quality sleep. And if you need a nap during the day, that’s okay too. Short naps in the afternoon won’t hurt our nighttime sleep, contrary to popular belief. It’s also a good idea to make breakfast or lunch our biggest meal of the day, and to avoid eating or exercising right before bed. This may mess up your internal rhythm and your sleep. Instead, taking short walks in the morning sun helps us get our fix of natural light and is an easy way to stay active too. So, by following these tips, we can improve our wellbeing and stay ahead of the game for the changes that come with the colder months. 6-7
Take-home message
The changing of the seasons is a natural and beautiful thing, and so are the changes that our bodies go through to keep us in sync with the world around us! It’s important to be aware of these changes in how we eat and feel and to understand why they happen. That way, we can use this knowledge to be kind and patient with ourselves. Remember that it’s okay to feel different and to take care of ourselves in different ways throughout the year. Let your body take the lead, and always do what feels right for you! By trying some of the tips we talked about, like getting enough sleep and staying active, you can improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Thus, you can prepare yourself for the changes that come with the drop in temperature. So don’t worry if you’re feeling a little different this time of year – embrace the changes and take care of yourself!
Tips – bullet point summary
- aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night
- take afternoon naps if you feel like you need them
- make breakfast and/or lunch the biggest meals of the day
- avoid eating or exercising too close to bedtime, or too much screen time
- take morning walks when the sun is out
Sign up for our newsletter
Follow our story