Falling Into Fall: How Autumn Colours Affect The Mind
By Ava Cervas
As September rolls around, the early beginnings of a crisp autumn becomes apparent.
Vancouver’s fall scenery is hard to beat, particularly in its foliage. But can typical seasonal colours – such as red or orange – affect the way we feel during this time of year?
A Leafy First Act
Trees tend to be the first to embrace any season, especially fall. Leaves contain chlorophyll, which gives them their green pigment (Tree Canada, 2022). Due to the limited sunlight and decreasing temperatures that begin in September, trees start to break down their chlorophyll to produce carotene and xanthophylls, which are responsible for the beautiful fall colours we know and love (Tree Canada, 2022).
The Research
One study explored the therapeutic effects of these fall colours on university students (Yin et al., 2024). In comparison to being presented with bare trees, participants showed significantly better responses after viewing an autumn landscape (Yin et al., 2024). Its varying shades of reds, oranges, and yellows proved to be beneficial: “In the autumn environment, colourful landscapes positively impact psychological recovery, aiding in stress reduction and enhancing attention. [...]
It can assist people in stress alleviation, emotional regulation, and simultaneously improve work efficiency” (Yin et al., 2024, para. 53).
Autumn Colours & The Mind
There are other ways in which colours can affect our mood and overall well-being:
1. Stress Relief:
Fall colours, including red, yellow, and orange, can trigger positive emotions, which can give us the power to unwind (University of Kentucky, 2024).
2. Annual Nostalgia:
The switch from summer greenery to a warm autumn palette can be drastic at times. Such a noticeable change in scenery, especially yearly, can thus make it easier to associate certain memories with the falltime (Andrews, 2015). This can include childhood memories, like playing in the leaves or trick-or-treating, or reminders of colder-weather activities you enjoy – like making hearty meals or celebrating Thanksgiving (Andrews, 2015).
3. New(ish) Year Resolutions?
Coupling the early beginnings of fall, typically September, with the new classes or projects is a common pairing. This is a great way for people to revisit their goals or set new ones for the season, or to end 2025 on a high note.
Become Fall’s #1 Fan!
So in short, the visuals of autumn prove to benefit us more than we think. It’s an amazing season, which we are also just heading into! Here are some ways for you to enjoy the outdoors during this lovely time of year.
Go on a nature walk/cruise: a few moments outdoors can be all it takes to appreciate the environment around you. I personally enjoy walking down Main Mall on UBC’s campus and seeing the overarching trees, others taking a stroll, and stopping near the Rose Garden!
As a bonus, your nature walk can end with a picnic outdoors. Bring your favourite dishes for a solo or group outing in the park.
Get cozy: There are a few ways you can enjoy the outdoors from indoors. Grab a blanket, a book, a drink, or even a friend – anything counts! Find a seat near a window and take some time to relax.
My tip is to indulge in a fall scent – whether that be a candle, essential oil, diffuser, or the aroma from cooking. Just one whiff of cinnamon apple or pumpkin can immediately set me into the fall mood.Attend a local event: this is a great way to take in the fall weather and support small creators, businesses and more.
Local events in Vancouver:Farmer’s markets – find one close to you here!
Participate in a BC Brain Wellness class/event!
From soup socials to movement classes, our new fall program schedule offers an array of in-person and online activities to take part in. More information can be found here!
References:
Andrews, L.W. (2015, September 29). How Autumn Leaves Color Our Inner Lives. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/minding-the-body/201509/how-autumn-leaves-color-our-inner-lives
University of Kentucky. (2024, September). Family Caregiver Health Bulletin September 2024. https://franklin.ca.uky.edu/sites/franklin.ca.uky.edu/files/0924-healthbulletin-familycaregiver.pdf
Why do leaves change colour?. (2022, October 24). Tree Canada. https://treecanada.ca/article/why-do-leaves-change-colour/
Yin, M., Li, K., Xu, Z., Jiao, R., & Yang, W. (2024). Exploring the impact of autumn color and bare tree landscapes in virtual environments on human well-being and therapeutic effects across different sensory modalities. PLoS One, 19(4), n.a. 10.1371/journal.pone.0301422
Photo Credits: Unsplash.com
