How Do Seasons Influence Human Emotions? | Pan Rocky | TEDxNACIS Shanghai Youth

The speaker explores how seasons influence emotions, drawing on biological and psychological factors. Biologically, reduced daylight in autumn and winter decreases serotonin production, weakening mood regulation. Interestingly, both low and excessively long daylight hours (like in Finland's midsummer) lead to a drop in these receptors, suggesting an optimal daylight range of 13-17 hours. Additionally, melatonin, the sleep hormone, is released for longer durations and earlier in the day during darker seasons, causing drowsiness. Conversely, the wake-up hormone, cortisol, delays its surge in winter, making mornings difficult. A stable ambient temperature also contributes to a positive mood. Psychologically, evolution has ingrained a response to scenery, where green signifies resources and yellow indicates risk. These ancient associations still influence our mood. Winter reduces outdoor activities and social interaction, which decreases social support. Summer, however, encourages exercise and company, releasing endorphins. To counteract seasonal mood shifts, the speaker suggests practical strategies for daily life and campus settings. These include maximizing light exposure, such as carrying classrooms outdoors or decorating with warm colors, and maintaining social connections through outdoor activities. Swapping scenery with novel backdrops or incorporating sounds of nature can also provide a mood boost. Understanding these biological and psychological mechanisms allows us to acknowledge our feelings and actively respond to our shifting emotions with curiosity rather than judgment.