Could ‘Season Creep’ Affect Human Behavior?

Season Creep

The phenomenon of season creep, where seasons shift due to climate change, is impacting both human and animal behaviors. Michael Varnum highlights how migratory birds and hibernating animals are altering their patterns, which could also affect human psychological and behavioral changes 1. This shift in seasons can lead to muted cognitive effects, as studies suggest working memory is best in the fall and worst in the spring 1.

It's such a ubiquitous part of life that we've taken them for granted and not really thought in too concentrated a way about what kinds of effects they may have.

--- Michael Varnum

As seasons change more unpredictably, the effects on human behavior are only beginning to be understood 2.

   

Behavioral Shifts

The intensifying seasons and rising temperatures are leading to significant psychological and behavioral shifts. In places like Arizona, extreme heat is causing irritability, disrupted sleep, and decreased motivation 3. Michael Varnum notes that these changes might also affect long-term planning and cultural associations tied to seasons 3.

We get more irritable when we're exposed to these really hot temperatures, which kind of makes sense, right?

--- Michael Varnum

Understanding these natural mood cycles and proactively engaging in mood-improving activities like exercise can help mitigate these effects 4.