Oxytocin & autumn: How the “bonding hormone” shapes our seasonal psychology

As summer fades and autumn draws in, many of us sense a shift not just in the air, but inside ourselves. Shorter days, cooler light and fewer hours outside become part of daily life. For some people this period can bring subtle changes in mood, social life and emotion regulation. One neurohormone of growing interest in this seasonal shift is oxytocin, often dubbed the “bonding hormone.” While much is still being discovered about its relation to seasons, current research suggests that oxytocin plays a valuable role in how we adjust psychologically in autumn.

What oxytocin does: A brief scientific primer

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide produced mainly in the hypothalamus and released both centrally within the brain and peripherally into the bloodstream (Sippel et al., 2017). Best known for its roles in social bonding, including mother–infant attachment, trust and empathy, its functions extend far beyond relationships. Oxytocin interacts with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, modulates emotional and stress responses, and may exert anti-inflammatory effects (Sippel et al., 2017; Intertwined associations…, n.d.).

In mental health research, lower oxytocin levels have been associated with depressive symptoms. For example, studies in healthy young women have found that reduced serum oxytocin correlates with greater depressive symptomatology and may mediate the link between negative affect and depression (“Depressive symptomatology…,” 2022). Similarly, individuals with postpartum depression or heightened stress and anxiety often exhibit lower oxytocin concentrations, particularly when symptoms are more severe (Yu et al., 2024).

Autumn, emotion regulation & the oxytocin connection

Autumn can act as a transitional season in which environmental triggers (less daylight, more cloudy weather, cooling temperatures) contribute to mood changes. Many people report feeling more introspective, more nostalgic and sometimes more vulnerable. Recent research into seasonal emotion regulation suggests that as summer gives way to autumn, people tend to ruminate more, have more difficulty accepting negative emotions and report increases in depressive symptoms (“Winter is coming…,” n.d.).

Clinical implications: What can we do in autumn?

For therapists, coaches, or anyone interested in mental wellness, recognising the autumn period as one in which oxytocin‐related processes may be especially relevant can help shape interventions. You can find below some practices that may help regulate oxytocin and buffer autumnal mood shifts:

Encouraging people to maintain regular social contact (even if cozier, more indoors) can facilitate oxytocin release (Sippel et al., 2017). A hug, shared meal or meaningful conversation can go a long way.

Simple acts like warm touch, handholding, massage, cuddling pets, have been shown to increase oxytocin and reduce stress reactivity (Sippel et al., 2017).

As days shorten, having predictable, comforting routines (lighting, meals, rest) helps reduce uncertainty and stress, allowing oxytocin systems to support emotional stability (Gonsalvez et al., 2025).

Because autumn is associated with increased rumination and decreased acceptance, practices that cultivate awareness without judgment (such as mindfulness or acceptance‐based therapies) may help reduce negative affect, which in turn relates to oxytocin’s effects on mood regulation (“Winter is coming…,” n.d.).

Maximizing exposure to natural light (morning light, walks outdoors) may indirectly support mood and possibly neurohormonal balance. While direct effects of light on oxytocin aren’t fully established, daylight influences mood, circadian rhythm and stress regulation, systems intertwined with oxytocin (“Mood and Oxytocin Blood Levels…,” 2017).

Reflections from clinical practice

From my own clinical observations, clients often report feeling emotionally more sensitive in autumn: memories come easier, joys and sorrows feel more vivid. Some find themselves withdrawing socially, not necessarily from lack of connection, but because the world outside feels colder and less inviting. In such periods, even small embodied experiences like gathering around a warm drink with a friend or being held can feel especially restorative. These moments seem to “reset” something inside: breathing slows, tension softens, and connection with others or with oneself feels possible again.

These subjective moments align with what science is showing: that oxytocin’s psychological effects are not merely “fluffy” but biologically grounded and relevant (Sippel et al., 2017). Autumn gives us a chance to understand this biology, to work with the seasonal shifts rather than resist them.

What is next?

Many existing studies are cross‐sectional, not longitudinal, limiting certainty about causation (Intertwined associations…, n.d.). Oxytocin measurement remains complex (serum vs. saliva vs. central nervous system levels) and results can vary depending on timing, sex, hormonal state and individual temperament (Yu et al., 2024). There is limited research directly linking oxytocin with seasonal affective disorders (SAD) or the specific psychological shifts in autumn, but this is a promising area for future work.

Conclusion

Oxytocin’s role in our lives is multifaceted: it supports social bonding, eases stress and helps regulate emotion. In autumn, when light dims and the pace slows, those functions become especially relevant. Clinically, acknowledging the interplay between oxytocin, seasonal changes and emotion regulation offers a pathway toward richer, more embodied interventions, such as rituals, connection and warmth that help clients navigate the turning of the seasons with more resilience and ease.

References

Gonsalvez, I., et al. (2025). Oxytocin may reduce mood changes in women with disrupted sleep. Endocrine Society. Retrieved from https://www.endocrine.org

Intertwined associations between oxytocin, immune system and major depressive disorder. (n.d.). Journal of Psychiatric Research. Retrieved from PubMed.

“Depressive symptomatology, temperament and oxytocin serum levels in a sample of healthy female university students.” (2022). BMC Psychology, 10(36). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00730-2

Mood and oxytocin blood levels in physically active women in relation to seasonal daylight variation. (2017). International Journal of Sports and Exercise Medicine, 3(3), 1–9. Retrieved from https://www.europub.co.uk

Sippel, L. M., Allington, C. E., Pietrzak, R. H., Harpaz-Rotem, I., Mayes, L. C., & Olff, M. (2017). Oxytocin and stress-related disorders: Neurobiological mechanisms and treatment opportunities. Chronic Stress, 1, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/2470547017743128

“Winter is coming: Deciphering the longitudinal associations between everyday emotion regulation and depressive symptoms across the seasons.” (n.d.). Current Psychology. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com

Yu, X., Gao, Y., et al. (2024). Investigation and analysis of emotional state and oxytocin level in patients with postpartum depression. Actas Españolas de Psiquiatría, 52(3), 204–210. Retrieved from https://www.actaspsiquiatria.es