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By this time of year, you have probably seen all the posts or heard people talking about how excited they are for fall. Pumpkin spice lattes, crisp air, butternut squash soup, changing leaves, pumpkin patches, and of course, spooky season.

And perhaps you share in this excitement for fall. However, especially if you’re over 40, it may be hard to ignore the other truth: you just don’t feel very good in your body this time of year.

Poor sleep, increased feelings of depression, joint pain, more cravings for sugar and comfort foods, heightened anxiety, more hair shedding, and grogginess can all seem to show up as the seasons change.

If you’re thinking, “You just described me to a T,” you’re not alone. There are some very real biological and environmental reasons you may feel different in the fall, as well as some natural ways to support your body so you can enjoy all the things you look forward to this time of year without feeling uncomfortable in your body.

Let’s unpack it.

 

How the Fall Season Impacts Your Body

1. Circadian Changes

One of the biggest changes that happens in fall is that the days get shorter.

Your body uses light to help regulate your circadian rhythm, which is basically your internal clock. It helps control when you feel awake, when you feel sleepy, and even things like appetite, hormones, and metabolism.

As you get less daylight, your body has to adjust to a different light and sleep schedule. This can make you feel more tired in the morning, sleepy earlier at night, or just generally groggy and out of rhythm.

Less daylight can also affect melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep. So if your sleep suddenly feels worse when fall hits, this may actually be a reason.

 

2. Less Sunshine

Shorter days also mean less sunshine, which can affect your mood, energy levels, and vitamin D.

Your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. As the days get shorter and you spend more time indoors, it can become harder to get as much sunlight as you did during the summer.

This can be even more relevant as you get older because your skin becomes less efficient at making vitamin D.

Less sunlight can also affect chemicals in the brain that play a role in mood and sleep, which is one reason some people notice increased feelings of sadness, depression, fatigue, or anxiety during fall and winter.

And then there is the simple fact that when it gets dark earlier and the weather is colder, it can be much harder to motivate yourself to get outside and move your body.

 

3. Cooler and Drier Weather

The cooler temperatures may feel great at first, but colder and drier weather can affect your body in several ways.

Cold air and indoor heating can dry out your skin, scalp, and hair. This may be one reason you notice more dryness, irritation, or changes in your hair during fall.

Many people also report more joint stiffness and body aches when the weather changes. While cold weather itself does not necessarily cause joint problems, changes in temperature, humidity, activity levels, and barometric pressure may contribute to how your joints feel.

You may also be moving less because of the weather, which can make stiffness even worse.

Fall also marks the beginning of cold and flu season, so supporting your immune system becomes especially important.

 

4. Holiday Demands

Fall also tends to be when life gets busier.

School is back in session, work picks up, schedules fill up, and then suddenly you’re dealing with Halloween, Thanksgiving, holiday shopping, family gatherings, travel, cooking, hosting, and everything else that comes with the end of the year.

For a lot of women, this also means taking on more of the planning, organizing, and emotional load for everyone around them.

That increased stress can affect your sleep, appetite, digestion, mood, energy, and cravings.

This is why fall is an especially important time to create small routines that help your body slow down and recover.

And yes, a warm cup of herbal tea can absolutely be one of them.

 

 

The Best Herbal Teas for Fall

Depending on what you tend to struggle with most this time of year, there are a few teas that can help support your body through the seasonal changes.

1. The Cortisol Tea Bundle

The Cortisol Tea Bundle is your bundle if you especially relate to the stress and mood changes that can come with fall.

Between the busyness of the holidays, more clouds and less sunshine, and changes to your sleep, fall can be a stressful time for your body. When that stress starts to build, you may find yourself spending more time in fight-or-flight and experiencing symptoms like brain fog, cravings, stubborn weight around your midsection, and even worse sleep than you were already getting from the daylight changes alone.

The Cortisol Daytime Tea is your sunshine in a cup. It contains uplifting herbs like tulsi and lemon verbena that help calm the nervous system while also supporting focus throughout the day.

A bonus of this blend is that herbs like elderberry, rosehips, and rooibos support immune health, which is always important this time of year. Stress combined with colder weather can leave you feeling especially run down, so this blend is a great way to support your body on both fronts.

The Cortisol Evening Tea helps your body wind down at the end of the day so you can release tension, relax, and get the sleep you need to recover. This is thanks to herbs like ashwagandha, skullcap, and oatstraw.

Now, if you’re thinking, “I CAN’T DO ASHWAGANDHA!” do not worry.

We made an option specifically for people like you, and it’s called the Cortisol Sleep Tea. This ashwagandha-free sleep and cortisol supporting tea contains relaxing herbs to help quiet those racing thoughts before bed, ease body tension, and help you drift off to dreamland.

 

2. The Cortisol Heart Tea Bundle

Now, let’s say you relate to everything above, but you also have high blood pressure or other reasons to be concerned about your heart health. Then I introduce you to the Cortisol Heart Bundle.

If you already have cardiovascular concerns and find yourself going through an especially stressful season of life as fall approaches, managing that stress becomes even more important. This can be especially relevant if you’re going through menopause or are postmenopausal, since declining estrogen can affect cardiovascular health.

Blood Pressure Support Tea targets heart health more directly and is honestly one of our most fall-tasting teas. With hawthorn, hibiscus, tart cranberries, and warming spices, it supports healthy circulation and blood vessels.

Cortisol Sleep Tea targets the stress and sleep side more directly with relaxing nervine herbs like passionflower, lavender, and chamomile, while also including heart-supporting herbs like linden and hawthorn.

Together, they make a great natural combination for supporting your heart, managing stress, and getting the restorative sleep your body needs.

 

 

The Inflammation-Fighting Tea Bundle

Now, if you’re thinking, “I don’t really feel stressed in the fall. I just have bad joint pain and body aches, skin and hair issues, digestive issues, and I’m frequently getting sick,” then the Inflammation-Fighting Tea Bundle may be the one for you.

With drier and colder weather can come more stiffness and discomfort, especially if you already deal with inflammatory issues that tend to flare up. Less movement, changes in your routine, and holiday foods can add to the problem.

Our Inflammation-Fighting Tea Bundle targets inflammation from multiple angles.

Joint Support Tea is the warming side of the bundle. It supports circulation, helps with stiffness and discomfort, moves stagnation, and supports healthy digestion. The warming herbs and spices also make it an especially good tea for colder fall days.

Inflammation Relief Tea takes a more cooling and soothing approach. It helps support a healthy inflammatory response, calms the nervous system, reduces stress, and creates more comfort in the stomach.

Together, these two teas give you both warming, circulatory support and cooling, calming support, making them a great combination when your body starts feeling the effects of colder weather.

And yes, even the Inflammation-Fighting Tea Bundle supports stress. Any bundle you choose has some nervous system support built in. We are pretty serious about stress over here at Loose Leaf Tea Market.

 

 

Turn Any of These Teas Into a Cozy Fall Latte

One of the easiest ways to make your tea routine feel extra cozy this time of year is to turn it into a latte.

Easy Fall Tea Latte Recipe

Brew your tea :

• 1 teaspoon of tea

• 1 cup of hot water

Let it steep 7-10 minutes, then strain.

Add your favorite warmed and frothed milk.

Top with your favorite fall spice.

 

Some of our favorite combinations are:

• Cortisol Evening Tea with pumpkin spice

• Joint Support Tea with nutmeg

• Blood Pressure Support Tea with cinnamon

• Cortisol Sleep Tea with cardamom

• Cortisol Daytime Tea with clove

• Inflammation Relief Tea with ginger

 

Watch the step-by-step video: 

 

 

One Last Thing

Understanding how the seasons affect your body is one of the best ways to stay on top of feeling good year after year.

If you notice that your sleep, mood, joints, cravings, energy, or stress levels change every fall, there may be a real reason for it. Instead of ignoring those changes, use them as a reminder to give your body a little more support.

Get outside when you can. Keep moving. Prioritize sleep. Eat nourishing foods. Stay hydrated. Find ways to lower your stress. And, of course, make yourself a cup of tea.

Hopefully, understanding what is happening also helps you feel a little less alone in these sensations. If you know anyone who could benefit from this information or from our teas, be sure to send this blog to them.

And if you have any questions about our teas, feel free to email us at info@looseleafmarket.com.

 

Want more recipes? Check out our other tea recipes and fall favorites.

 

Disclaimer: The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness. Please consult your healthcare provider before using herbal remedies, especially if you are taking medication, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an existing medical condition.