When the Sun Isn’t Enough: The Neurodivergent Connection (Part 2)

For years, I thought I was imagining it — the way my boys’ moods, focus, and energy would shift when the weather changed.

It didn’t make sense at first. We live in Florida, after all — endless sunshine, palm trees, and warm air. Seasonal Affective Disorder wasn’t supposed to happen here.

But over time, I started tracking it. I paid attention to how they acted, how I felt, how the rhythm of our home seemed to change. And a pattern began to show itself — not just in my family, but in conversations with clients, friends, and even other homeschool parents.

Everyone was describing the same thing: that subtle fog that rolls in with fall. The heaviness, the emotional dips, the loss of focus that didn’t seem to have a clear reason.

And I remember thinking — there’s no way this is just coincidence.

Years ago, I read about a homeschooling mom who noticed her son struggled every fall with focus and mood. She ended up adjusting their entire school schedule to fit his seasonal rhythm. Something about that story stuck with me. It made me realize what I had been sensing all along — that even in Florida, our bodies feel the seasons.

“Sometimes our bodies notice the seasons long before our minds do.”

Sensitive Bodies, Deep Feelers

If you’re neurodivergent — autistic, ADHD, highly sensitive, or somewhere in between — you probably know what I mean. Your body doesn’t just notice the world; it absorbs it.

You might feel the temperature drop before the forecast even calls it.

You might notice your energy dip when the sky stays gray too long, or when a cold front rolls through.

And if you’ve ever felt “off” but couldn’t explain why — foggy, overstimulated, or suddenly sad for no reason — it might not be “in your head.” It’s in your nervous system.

Our brains and bodies are wired to register change. We’re built to pick up subtle shifts in light, air pressure, and even humidity. For neurodivergent individuals, that sensitivity is amplified — what others brush off, we feel deeply.

It’s not overreacting. It’s awareness.

When the Weather Affects Your Mood

Here’s where it gets interesting — the weather doesn’t just change outside; it changes inside you, too.

When a cold front moves in, the barometric pressure drops. Some people feel that drop in their joints or sinuses. Others feel it in their emotions — a sudden heaviness, fatigue, or mental fog.

The science backs this up: lower barometric pressure can slightly affect oxygen levels, fluid balance, and even blood flow in the brain. Combine that with overcast skies and reduced light, and you have the perfect storm for mood shifts.

For neurodivergent nervous systems — which are already working overtime to process sensory input — that can feel like the body going offline for a bit. You might find yourself more irritable, tearful, or exhausted without knowing why.

You’re not crazy for noticing that you “feel the weather.” You’re tuned in.

Light Still Matters

Even in Florida, where the sun seems to always be shining, we get fewer daylight hours in the fall and winter and that change matters.

Our brains depend on morning light to regulate serotonin, melatonin, and cortisol — the hormones that help us feel awake, balanced, and motivated.

If you spend most of your mornings indoors or behind screens, your body can lose track of what time it is. You might sleep in later, crave carbs, or feel like you can’t quite wake up.

Try this: step outside within an hour of waking — even for five minutes. Let natural light hit your eyes (without sunglasses if possible).

It’s a small, gentle cue to your body: “We’re awake now. It’s daytime.”

That one change can make a surprising difference over time.

“Some people feel the rain in their joints — others feel it in their emotions.”

When Energy and Emotion Collide

For neurodivergent individuals, energy and emotion are closely tied.

When light or weather shifts, it’s not just your mood that changes — it’s your capacity. The number of “spoons” you have to work with might suddenly shrink, and that can look like procrastination or burnout when it’s really dysregulation.

You might notice:

Difficulty concentrating
Heightened anxiety or irritability
Increased sensory overwhelm
A pull toward isolation or rest

Instead of fighting those shifts, try tracking them.

Notice what weeks or months tend to feel heavier.

You might start to see a rhythm — one that makes sense once you stop trying to override it.

Sensitivity as a Kind of Wisdom

I think of sensitivity as a kind of intelligence — one that tells us when something’s off before our minds can name it.

When you start to see your sensitivity this way, it stops feeling like something to fix and starts feeling like something to listen to.

So when your body says, “I need warmth, I need stillness, I need less noise,” — listen. That’s your nervous system doing its job.

You don’t have to harden against the world to survive it. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is honor how deeply you feel it.

Journaling Prompts for Inner Awareness

When do I feel most “off” during the year — and what patterns might be behind it?
How does my body react to cloudy, rainy, or humid weather?
What helps me feel grounded when my energy drops?
How might I adjust my routine — even slightly — to move with my natural rhythm?

Gentle Ways to Support a Weather-Sensitive Nervous System

Keep a light therapy lamp on your desk and use it early in the day.
Track your mood with a weather app to notice patterns.
Stay hydrated (barometric drops can increase dehydration fatigue).
Keep magnesium- and protein-rich snacks nearby for blood sugar and mood balance.
Add gentle movement — even five minutes — when you feel stuck.

Your nervous system isn’t broken — it’s responsive.

You feel the world deeply because you’re wired for awareness, not apathy.

The goal isn’t to toughen up against the seasons but to dance with them — noticing how your energy, focus, and mood change, and learning what helps you come back home to yourself.

Sensitivity isn’t the problem. It’s the invitation.

“Your sensitivity isn’t a flaw to fix — it’s a compass pointing you back toward balance.”

Yvette is a psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Certified Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS) who takes a holistic, neuroscience-based approach to mental health. She believes in empowering individuals to understand their emotions, behaviors, and well-being through a combination of psychology, nutrition, and sustainable health habits. Through her practice, Nourivida Wellness, she offers concierge mental health services for neurodiverse individuals, couples, and those seeking emotional growth.

Want to understand your body’s rhythm and learn how to live in sync with it?

Discover more at Nourivida Wellness.