— As nature changes, so do the body and the soul
INTRODUCTION: The Body Is Part of Nature Everything in nature follows cycles: trees shed their leaves, animals go into hibernation, daylight shortens, and temperatures drop. We live within these changes but often see ourselves as separate. In truth, seasons affect more than calendars — they influence our blood, soul, and hormones.
In this article, we’ll explore how the body and mind adapt to seasons — from autumn depression to spring excitement, summer fatigue to winter stillness.
CHAPTER I: When the Sun Retreats — Autumn Mood Shifts What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? This is the scientific name for seasonal depression, most common in fall and winter.
Symptoms:
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Fatigue
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Trouble waking up
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Craving for carbohydrates
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Low mood
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Loss of motivation
Why does it happen?
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Less sunlight → more melatonin (sleepiness), less serotonin (depression)
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Disruption of the biological clock
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Vitamin D deficiency
CHAPTER II: Slowing Physiology in Winter How does the body change?
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Slower metabolism
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Increased blood pressure
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Cold extremities
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Weaker immunity
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Less desire to move
What does winter ask of us?
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More rest
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Warm foods
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Inward reflection
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Soul nourishment (music, books, meditation)
But… The body wants to rest, yet we force productivity — leading to hidden psycho-physical exhaustion.
CHAPTER III: Spring — Between Awakening and Dizziness Spring doesn’t awaken the body instantly. Along with renewal comes inner disarray.
Spring syndrome:
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Tension
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Lack of concentration
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Fluctuating blood pressure
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Hormonal shifts
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Appetite changes
Why? The body struggles to adjust to longer days and increasing light.
CHAPTER IV: The Strange Fatigue of Summer Summer — sun, energy… But for some, it’s another form of exhaustion.
Typical issues:
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Lower blood pressure → weakness
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Excessive sweating
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Mineral loss
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Sun intolerance
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Irritability, fatigue
Electrolyte imbalance:
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Sodium, potassium, magnesium disrupted
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Nervous system affected by sweat
CHAPTER V: Eating and Moving with the Seasons Autumn and winter:
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Warming foods: ginger, cinnamon, garlic
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More vitamin C and D
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Daily light exercise
Spring and summer:
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Watery fruits: watermelon, cucumber, tangerine
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B vitamins and magnesium
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Morning or evening walks
CHAPTER VI: The Circadian Rhythm This biological rhythm governs hormonal flow tied to light:
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Melatonin rises in darkness → sleep
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Serotonin rises in light → mood
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Cortisol rises in the morning → energy
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Leptin/Ghrelin → reduced light boosts appetite
Disruptions:
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Insomnia
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Hunger irregularities
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Mood dips
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Energy drops
CHAPTER VII: The Emotional Seasons Sometimes the sun shines, but your soul is in shadow. Seasonal emotions also echo past memories:
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Autumn — separation, nostalgia
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Winter — solitude, introspection
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Spring — excitement, fear of change
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Summer — expression, social pressure
Symbolically: Each season is an emotional archive. The body changes; the soul adapts.
CHAPTER VIII: Coping with Seasonal Shifts Live with nature’s rhythm:
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Sleep earlier (especially in winter)
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Maximize daylight exposure
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Spend 20 minutes outdoors daily
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Seasonal food and clothing
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Avoid the “winter productivity” trap
Herbal teas:
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Lemon balm → calming
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Turmeric → anti-inflammatory
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Chamomile → relaxing
CONCLUSION: The Body Follows the Seasons Along with the Soul Sometimes the body is tired, the soul is sad, yet you push for energy. Let yourself shift with nature.
If we don’t ask a tree in autumn, “Why aren’t you blooming?”, why ask ourselves, “Why am I not always motivated?”
ADDENDUM: Accept Your Soul’s Season Sometimes the soul needs an autumn of its own — quiet, slowness, retreat. The body may not hibernate, but the soul seeks rest.
Live your season. Because you are part of nature.