The October reset – what happens to your body when the light changes?
Each month, Discover’s resident herbalist and naturopath, Fee DeFreitas, will be chatting about all things herbs, health trends and the best lifestyle tips to help you through the month ahead.
We’ve had months of bright light and heatwaves, a long awaited, glorious Brighton summer. We’ve danced, swam and all enjoyed an eclipse in some of Brighton’s best nature spots. But, what happens now, as October arrives, the days get shorter and the light begins to fade? Our bodies may be noticing the impact too.
Our circadian rhythm is our internal body clock, helping to regulate when we feel awake and when we feel ready for sleep. One of its most important signals is light. Morning light helps our body recognise that it’s time to wake, while darkness helps trigger melatonin, the hormone involved in preparing us for sleep.
As a naturopath, I look to the foundations first. Rather than fighting the seasonal change, how can we work with it? October is a great time to start building a steady rhythm that can carry you through the darker months.
One of my favourite herbs for this changing season is St John’s wort*. Traditionally gathered around midsummer and steeped in folklore about sunlight and protection, its delicate yellow flowers reveal a deep red pigment when bruised or crushed. A little piece of summer, gathered at the height of the sun, returning to us in October as the light begins to fade.
With its fascinating connection to sunlight in traditional folklore, it feels fitting to encounter St John’s wort as the darker months approach. Modern research has explored its use for low mood and depression, although its specific role in seasonal affective disorder is less clear.
So as the light changes, rather than resisting the shift into autumn, perhaps we can use October as an opportunity to slow down, reset our rhythms and work with the season, rather than against it.
Top three tips for the October seasonal shift
1. Intentionally build sunlight into your day: Try to get outside in natural daylight, particularly in the morning.
2. Establish a regular sleep/wake routine: A steady routine to help support your circadian rhythm as the days shorten.
3: Create a darker calmer evening: Start dimming the lights and reducing screens before bed, giving your body clearer signals that it’s time to wind down.
*St John’s wort has significant drug interactions and can affect the way some medicines work. Always check with a pharmacist, doctor or qualified healthcare professional that it is suitable for you before taking it.
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