Neuropsychologist explains why it becomes harder to think in autumn

In autumn, a person may often forget about trifles, focus less on work tasks and re-read the same paragraph. According to neuropsychologist Kira Makarova, such distraction is often caused not by memory impairment, but by psychological restructuring for the new season. She said this in an interview with Life.ru.

According to the expert, the so-called autumn “empty head” effect is rooted in purely psychological reasons: a long summer with warmth, long daylight and an abundance of sun gave a feeling of cheerfulness and joy. With the onset of autumn, you have to get used to a short day, rain and cloudy weather. Against the background of a sharp change in the situation, depression, internal emptiness and some inhibition may appear.

Makarov interprets this reaction as a way of the psyche to smoothly adapt to a new rhythm. At the same time, she stressed that the usual autumn blues in itself is not a depression.

“It is a protective reaction of the psyche so as not to go mad. We slow down and begin to slowly think about the conditions in which we found ourselves, explained the neuropsychologist.

She compared the ability to concentrate with the battery charge: after a full sleep, it is easier to think and solve complex problems, and by the evening, as fatigue accumulates, it becomes harder to keep attention. Therefore, the feeling of an “empty head” can be explained not only by the season, but also by banal overwork. The expert also recalled that slow thinking occurs in depression, but urged not to confuse medical diagnosis with temporary mood decline.

According to Makarova, a person needs time to psychologically say goodbye to the summer and get involved in the autumn routine - this transition after vacation is especially noticeable. Getting used to it is gradual, and the approach of the New Year holidays can help to perceive autumn more optimistically.

Earlier, the Russians told how to cope with the autumn blues.

Also, the Russians were told an unusual way to escape from the autumn melancholy.

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