Articles by Sandy - Why Do We Love Fall So Much?
As we enter into October my favorite time of year has arrived. The fall. I love everything about the fall season, especially the cooler weather and the leaves changing colors. Growing up on a farm, fall was always my favorite time of year with harvest season, and in my family, hunting season. Harvest season because I would get to ride in the combine with my dad and in the big grain truck when they would haul a load to the elevator in either Dennison or Northfield. Eating “lunch” in the fields which always included either homemade chocolate cake (no boxed mix for my mom) or fresh baked chocolate chip cookies was always a favorite during harvest. I loved those times. Hunting season, not because I’m a hunter (furthest thing from it as you can imagine) but because it always meant that lots of family and friends would be around, and my mom would be cooking up a storm to feed everyone. Growing up I had horses and my favorite time of year to ride was in the fall. I loved riding in the freshly harvested fields and seeing the changing colors on the trees, just being in nature alone with my horse was one of my favorite places to be. Nature always makes me feel closer to God. My horse seemed to enjoy the fall season as well with the cooler temperatures and the air always seemed a bit fresher which tended to put a little extra energy in her gait. (Which wasn’t always a good thing). In my opinion, God did some of his best work where the fall season is concerned.
I know fall is a favorite time of year for many other folks as well. Did you know there is actually a psychological reason that so many people love fall? According to psychology experts, there are some distinct qualities of fall which people feel deeply drawn to.
Fall has a fresh start effect similar to that of a birthday or a new year with the back-to-school season. There is a feeling of getting back into a steady comfortable routine after summer. The fall weather also has mental health benefits. The cooler temperatures and beautiful fall foliage colors encourage us to spend time in nature, which has been proven to increase our happiness, wellbeing and personal relationships. Getting outside and enjoying fresh air is a natural way of raising the oxygen levels in your brain helping to release more serotonin, a neurotransmitter (chemical) which promotes happiness. There is a comforting feeling to fall and a feeling of nostalgia for some. (I think at this stage in my life, nostalgia is a big part for me as to why I love fall). So, it’s not just because the pumpkin spice flavoring can be found everywhere we go during the fall season, but there is an actual scientific reason so many of us love fall.
One of my current favorite fall activities is riding the ATV trails in Wisconsin. Each year over MEA week a few of my family members head to the cabin and we spend the week riding the many ATV trails along the St. Croix Valley. It’s a beautiful area and the fall foliage is usually on full display. We spend hours on the trails, travelling many miles each day, returning back to the cabin covered in dirt, hungry, tired and happy.
One of our traditions that week is to make stew over the campfire. It’s the best stew you’ve ever had and there is nothing better than sitting around a campfire in the fall with family and friends. We also normally take one final pontoon ride that week before it is stored away for the winter. It’s usually a cold ride so you have to bundle up, but the colors are beautiful and there always seems to be wildlife to see along the way, especially Eagles.
So, if you are like me and love the fall season, I hope you get to spend time outside enjoying God’s beautiful display of colors, the cooler weather and maybe a bonfire. After all, it’s a scientific fact that it’s good for our mental health!
- Sandy Vesledahl, Office Administrator