Several of my friends and I began to feel significantly worse in terms of mental health and stress starting in October. It wasn’t until this week that I heard of the term that explained this feeling: “autumn anxiety.” Apparently, the change from summer to fall “can evoke worry, fear, and other negative emotions” (Anderson 1). 

This is due to a multitude of reasons. The sun is starting to set earlier and rise later, causing less Vitamin D exposure. Deficiencies in this vital vitamin are linked with “anxiety and depression” (MacGregor 5). It’s also beginning to become colder, making school days feel even gloomier.

However, while these factors can contribute to autumn anxiety, I propose alternate theories for the general negative feelings. Our excitement for the new school year has worn off with the passing of Homecoming week. Halloween is now done and gone. It has become even more worryingly close to finals, and now many people like me have realized that there is not much time to get their grades up. 

But not all hope is lost. It is now Thanksgiving Break where we can all relax and sleep in. It can provide an opportunity to go outside to get some Vitamin D, perhaps on a 10-minute walk to soak in the beautiful natural views of fall. But if you are dealing with autumn anxiety, always remember to treat yourself with kindness and understand that, whatever you are going through, you aren’t alone. 

Works Cited

Andersen, C. H. (2020, December 4). Autumn anxiety is real: Why the fall season makes you more stressed. The Healthy. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.thehealthy.com/mental-health/anxiety/what-is-autumn-anxiety/

Nancy MacGregor MA, A. T. R.-B. C. (2022, August 28). What is autumn anxiety? Harmony Bay Wellness. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.harmonybaywellness.com/what-is-autumn-anxiety/