It's official; British Summer Time ends this Saturday. Familiar signs of the seasons changing are all around, as coffee-lovers ditch their usual flat white in favour of a Starbucks' Pumpkin Spiced latte and offices nationwide begin the countdown to Pret's Christmas range hitting the shelves. But is there any psychology behind all this seasonal excitement and are there benefits to it?
Fresh insight from leading consumer psychologist Dr. Paul Marsden from the London College of Fashion and blu eCigs, the premium global electronic cigarette brand, has revealed that there are in fact emotional reasons behind why we celebrate small, seasonal changes in our everyday lives. Dr. Marsden reveals that it is the 'sensation-seeking' aspects of our personality and the feel-good factor of nostalgia that prompts us to shake up our routine as the seasons change.
Psychologically, our need to shake up routines comes from the 'sensation-seeking' dimension of our personality, and this results in a desire for sensory stimulation and excitement. Our search for new sensations can be as simple as ordering something new from a seasonal menu or taking a new route to work, through to buying a new winter coat.
This excitement over the reintroduction of small, seasonal moments into our routine is also grounded in the psychology of nostalgia. And Dr. Marsden points to research showing that nostalgia can promote wellbeing and combat anxiety. So changing your routine and indulging in the first mulled cider of the season could actually help us beat the winter blues.
Dr. Paul Marsden says, "Psychologically our need to shake up routines is grounded in the 'sensation-seeking' dimension of our personality. The changing of the seasons is a natural time to stimulate our daily routines with seasonal sensations. Coupled with seasonal nostalgia, this is a key factor in why we have reasons to 'love autumn'."
To ensure the sensation-seeking side of our personality is satisfied this autumn, blu eCigs suggests the top five ways to shake up your daily routine and get that autumnal feeling.
- Swap your skinny latte and go for a Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced latte
- When November rolls in, be the first to get the hotly anticipated Pret Christmas range
- For smokers, make the switch from traditional cigarettes to a cherry flavoured e-cigarette from blu eCigs
- For the singletons, try one of the latest dating apps such as Bumble in a bid to find that special someone to keep you warm this winter
- Wrap up warm and take a new route to work, taking in the autumnal winter mornings
