THE SCIENCE OF COZY: Why Humans Crave Comfort in the Fall
by Amanda Ciani
16 OCTOBER 2026 | BIRMINGHAMPARENT.COM burning ferocity of a sunset. Just saying the word “fall” brings up a mental vision board of all of the ways fall finds its way into our cores, taking root and leaving its mark on us. Close your eyes. Imagine leaves crunching underfoot, the smell of crisp apples, eek! the feel of stringy, gooey pumpkin guts while cleaning out and carving a crooked-toothed Jack-o’-lantern, and, oh, the flavors! Those pervasive warm hints of cinnamon, and the earthy flavors of pumpkin. The warm, rich, golden glow of fall encompasses all of the senses with the W hen the heat subsides just enough to turn off the AC and open the windows, there is a collective exhale of relief. Gone is the sweltering heat, replaced by comfortable cool breezes that gently dance by, leaving little goosebumps and a whisper of “Fall is here.” So much more than just one of the four seasons, fall is an annual source of true joy for many people, and for a multitude of reasons. AUTUMN’S AURA
Yes, fall flavors are peak—they’re picked during harvest time, after all. And even merely imagining fall brings out all of the good feelings! Kathy Wu, PhD, Licensed Psychology, Author of The Self Regulation Handbook and Private Practice Owner of WuPsychology, notes that, “Most people ordering a pumpkin spice latte are, presumably, having a decent day, which sets the stage for lots of positive nostalgia points,” and it goes even deeper than that! She continues, “A pumpkin spice latte is like a shortcut to a feeling: a little sensory reminder that fall is here, and all the memories and rituals that come with it are here, too.” YESTERYEAR NOSTALGIA Sensory experiences and memories certainly go hand in hand. Little ones are in the thick of creating their lasting core memories with harvest time happenings, and many adults may find themselves relating through their “When I was your age…” tales. Because while many things in life have changed over the years, some of life’s simple joys have stayed
the same, being passed down generation after generation with new little twists introduced here and there. Traditions of visiting pumpkin patches, baking fall treats, carving pumpkins on the porch, trick-or-treating with neighborhood friends, and more. Wu elaborates: “Rituals become vehicles for connecting the past and present: they allow parents to recreate beloved experiences, create new positive memories with their children, and establish traditions that may one day become nostalgic memories for future generations.” As adults repeat their treasured traditions with their own children, an emotional layer of the season is revealed. That wholesome, pure joy of multiple generations of kids enjoying childhood for the fun of it is something to be reveled in. NEW SEASON, FRESH STARTS And kids deserve fun! Part of summer’s appeal is its go-with-the-flow fun. Yet, Karen Wu explains that humans also crave routine
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