When the Autumn Wind Blows, 'I Feel Anxious Without Knowing Why': The Reason Anxiety Surges Every Seasonal Transition

Modern medicine explains this seasonal anxiety and nervous hypersensitivity in ways that align closely with the Donguibogam concept of the movements and transformations of heaven and earth qi. The emotional dip commonly referred to as the autumn blues often falls under seasonal affective disorder or an adjustment disorder, typically intensifying during the transition from autumn to winter. A primary cause is reduced sunlight. As daylight hours shorten in autumn, the brain undergoes notable shifts. First, production of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter regulating mood, declines. Serotonin promotes feelings of well-being and contentment. When reduced sunlight curbs its synthesis, mood can drop, while anxiety and low spirits increase. Second, the sleep hormone melatonin becomes imbalanced. Melatonin increases in darkness to facilitate sleep. With earlier sunsets in autumn, melatonin may be secreted excessively or the underlying biorhythm may shift, disrupting its normal cycle. This lowers sleep quality and can lead to insomnia or daytime drowsiness, worsening fatigue and emotional instability. Feeling unrested after sleeping naturally leaves the nervous system more vulnerable to irritation. Third, vitamin D deficiency plays a role. Synthesized in the skin through sunlight exposure, vitamin D supports immunity, brain function, and nervous system health. Research indicates that low vitamin D levels interfere with serotonin synthesis in the brain, contributing to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, disruptions to the body's circadian rhythm have a significant impact. As external conditions change with the season, the internal biological clock must readjust. This adjustment can trigger stress, leading to irregular secretion of the stress hormone cortisol and an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. Physical signs of anxiety, such as palpitations or indigestion, often follow. Seasonal anxiety is not merely a subjective mood change. It is a natural physiological response shaped by shifts in neurotransmitters, hormones, and biological rhythms. Rather than wondering why this happens only to you, it helps to recognize these bodily signals and respond with supportive care.