Theres a scientific reason why we love fall

Theres a scientific reason why we love fallTheres a scientific reason why we love fallSummeris coming to an end, and you know what that means Fall is on its way. Starbucks has launched its famouspumpkin spice latte(already?), your favorite stores are bringing out thecozy sweatersandscarves, and your localTarget is fully stocked with back-to-school gear. If youre a die-hard autumn lover who gets giddy with the chilly weather andcolorful foliageevery year, youre definitely not alone. According to onesurvey, 29 percent of Americans say fall is their favorite season. And it seems that theres actually a legitimate scientific reason for all the warm, fuzzy feelings we have for fall.In aninterview with TheHuffington Post, Dartmouth sociology profKathryn Livelyexplained that many of us have been conditioned from a young age to anticipate - and love - autumn and all the fun milestones that come with it. As children, we come to associate fall with going back to school, new school supplies, s eeing friends. Its exciting, for most. We still respond to this pattern that we experienced for eighteen years, Lively said.Think about it For many of us, the crisp air and changing colors of the leaves in fall represent a new beginning. Whether were goingback toschoolor not, the transition from one season to another - in this case, summer to fall - can summon the same emotions we experienced going back to school as kids, which might inspire us to try new things, learn a new subject, or make a change in our lives.In fact,scientificresearch on the concept of temporal landmarksshows that special times likebirthdaysor holidays - for fall, thats back to school,football season, Rosh Hashanah,Halloween, andThanksgiving, just to name a few - can play a big role in bolstering our sense of motivation.Another studyshowed that just like the beginning of thenew year, temporal landmarks promote the feeling of a fresh start, which can inspire aspirational behavior. (And you thought it was jus t all thepumpkin spice lattes)Fall also brings with it a noticeable shift in routine. With the arrival of the autumn months, the slow, laid-back pace of summer evolves into a more regimented, fast-paced schedule, which forsome personalitiescan be a powerful motivator in getting things done and even feeling more mentally balanced. And depending on where you live, theres also the impact of the cooler temps on morale.Researchhas also shown that in many cases, warm weather can negatively impact our decision-making capabilities, whereas cooler weather helps us think more clearly. Not to mention that the drop in temperature could bring a respite fromsummer depression.Unsurprisingly, Lively said theres also likely a sociological basis for loving autumn because we see it as a comforting time - think snuggling up in achunky sweaterand lounging by a crackling fire. (Speaking of which, did you know that thanks to evolution,humans are wired to find comfort in the warmth of a fire?)Sounds like its time to break out thecandles,oversized sweaters, and warm flannelpajamas, and get cozyThis article first appeared on Brit + Co.