Lifestyle

Seasonal forgetfulness - Does spring make you forget more?

Expected read time: 2 min

When is your memory at its best – spring or summer?

We know that the seasons impact our moods and that winter can be particularly stressful. But did you know spring also has its challenges that can influence your memory?

Seasonal changes can affect our sleep and appetite, but studies suggest that changes in the seasons can also weaken your memory. The effects aren’t universal and seem to influence people with allergies or highly sensitive people more.

Seasonal forgetfulness Chipolo Seasonal forgetfulness Chipolo

So which seasons influence our memory the most?

Winter and spring are the most stressful, the first for its shorter days and lack of natural light and the latter for the allergies that the newly revived nature triggers.

The memory loss we experience is not directly linked to the change of the seasons but is a consequence of the changes in our hormone levels, the weakened immune system, and other physical symptoms that stress the body and the brain.

Overall, our brainpower seems to be at its best in June around the summer solstice and at its worst in December, when daylight is in short supply.

Chipolo andrea piacquadio seasonal forgetfulness Chipolo andrea piacquadio seasonal forgetfulness

Spring

Spring = allergy season

In spring pollen is everywhere, triggering allergy flare-ups that can sometimes last for months.

Itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose full of sneezes that go on for weeks are enough to make even the most level-headed person lose their mind.

Spring allergies and their accompanying symptoms can affect your sleep and your energy levels, leaving you with a brain fog that can make you forget even the most basic details of your life.

Chipolo seasonal forgetfulness pollen allergy Chipolo seasonal forgetfulness pollen allergy

Solution: Limited exposure and medicine

These won’t make your allergies disappear, but they can mitigate the symptoms and help you feel like a functioning person again.

While limiting exposure only means you have to avoid nature as much as possible, make sure to talk to your doctor before taking any medicine.

Winter

Shorter days = Lack of sunlight

We all know that sunlight helps the body create vitamin D, but that’s not all it does. Sunlight also affects the levels of hormones in our body; specifically, the mood-improving serotonin and sleep-inducing melatonin.

In winter, days are shorter, often not as sunny as we’d like and we typically spend our days indoors because of colder temperatures.

The lower levels of vitamin D and feel-good hormones provoke lack of sleep, general fatigue, crankiness, and sometimes even physical symptoms like muscle pain. People with more severe symptoms or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are also prone to depression.

Chipolo seasonal forgetfulness winter missing glove Chipolo seasonal forgetfulness winter missing glove

Solution: Light therapy

Also known as phototherapy, it can mimic daylight and will supplement the lack of natural light you experience during the winter.

The therapy is easy – you sit near a specialized therapy light for about 30 minutes.

Related blog posts

5 forgetful zodiac signs featured 2

5 zodiac signs that can never remember where their keys are

A handful of zodiac signs have to work extra hard to keep all the daily details in mind and all their essentials in their pockets.

Foods that help your memory chipolo key finder featured 2

Can the foods I eat help my memory?

Some food for thought: what you eat may help you find your keys!

Chipolo pet tracker why do cats hide featured 1

Why Do Cats Hide?

Cats hide in tight, surrounded spots because it's comfortable and it helps them feel safe. It’s their way of protecting themselves from potential threats while they...

Meet the Perfectly Imperfect CARD Spot wallet tracker for Apple Find My featured 2

Meet the Perfectly Imperfect CARD Spot wallet tracker

Choose to use something less than perfect and discover how a perfectly imperfect Chipolo CARD Spot can transform your life every time you can’t find your wallet!