Have you rediscovered a playlist you haven’t touched since April? Maybe your go-to radio station changed with the falling leaves? Why the shift in your musical preferences? Could the changing seasons play a part? 

We know that seasons affect mood. For instance, research shows that 5% of adults in the U.S. suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), with symptoms lasting about 40% of the year.

However, there’s growing scientific evidence that the music we prefer also shifts with the seasons. Moreover, tuning into those shifts may be a surprisingly accessible tool for supporting mental and physical health.

“Across the social sciences there’s a lot of interest in the study of emotion and emotional regulation and preferences,” said Michael Macy, Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Sociology at Cornell University. “Suddenly we have these data on what music people are choosing to listen to all over the world, and it’s a remarkable opportunity to advance our understanding, empirically, of people’s emotional management based on how they use music.”

Let’s discuss how various factors, such as temperature and daylight length, impact our moods and well-being and how music can be a strategic tool to stave off those unpleasant blues and moments when we see red or even feel a little green.

Affective preferences in global streaming reflect seasonality.

First, the science.

A study analyzing 765 million music‐streams from 1 million people in 51 countries found consistent seasonal patterns in what people listen to. For instance, when it’s colder during the winter months or when daylight is shorter, listeners prefer more relaxing, less intense music.

Terry Pettijohn, a professor of psychology at Coastal Carolina University, calls it the Environmental Security Hypothesis, which examines the correlation between music preferences and the environment.

“In the United States in summertime, people change their patterns; children don’t have to go to school, people go on vacations, the weather is nicer, there’s more time for social interaction, people can relax and party,” Pettijohn said, during an interview with Daisy Jones of Vice Magazine. “And so, the music that gives them the opportunity to incorporate that into their lives is going to be energetic, rhythmic and upbeat music, compared to the more reflective, complex things you’d prefer in the winter, when you might not be as sociable.”

Keep in mind that correlation doesn’t imply causation. In other words, just because we prefer more energetic music in the summer doesn’t prove that it causes a better mood. The environment itself (daylight, temperature, social opportunities, etc.) also directly influences mood.

Diurnal (daily) rhythms mirror seasonal ones.

Preferences change not only across months but also across times of day. Because music preferences shift in alignment with daylight and activity patterns, using music thoughtfully — such as more upbeat in the morning and calmer in the evening — can help your internal clock and daily rhythms stay aligned, which in turn influences sleep quality and hormonal health.

You can use music to stay healthy through the seasons.

During the pandemic, one study found that 80% of music listeners reported that listening to music helped them manage their emotional well-being. This strategy still carries a healthy and happy tune.

If you are tapping into Tiesto to get through leg day at the gym, busting through that final mile with “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd, hustling through the housework with “Uptown Funk,” decompressing from stress with James Taylor or channeling your inner Swiftie to renew your faith in second chances, here are some of the mechanisms by which aligning your musical taste with seasonal tendencies could support healthier living:

Mood regulation 

Using music to regulate one’s mood is a common practice. Selecting songs that match or shift your mood can help alleviate stress, anxiety or feelings of gloom. In winter, reflective music may validate feelings. Summer selections should include energetic music that enhances activity and feelings of hope.

But look out! Preferences for “sad” or slower music in darker months may reflect an attempt to cope. But there’s also evidence that excessive use of melancholic music correlates with higher levels of depressive symptoms. In these cases, music plays a different tune — one linked to depression via rumination, avoidant coping or social isolation when people listen to music.

Social motivation and activity

Energetic music promotes movement, activity and perhaps social engagement (dancing, exercising, etc.). This can counteract the tendency to be less active during cold or dark seasons.

Mindful listening

Whenever you feel your mood dip (which is common during dark or cold seasons), try intentionally selecting a song you love that’s uplifting. Pick one not for background, but to listen fully. Let it shift your focus.

Listen to your moods. Track your reaction to certain artists at a specific time of the day or the month. Then, create playlists of reflective and complex music, incorporating a mix of uplifting tracks to avoid getting stuck in a gloomy mood.

Use music as a tool in daily routines.

The Fullcast marketing team has its favorite tunes to stay focused and keep those creative juices flowing.

Morning: Choose something energizing. 

The Fullcast team turns to artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Max McNown and Stevie Nicks, as well as ’80s rock artists, particularly Bon Jovi, who inspires our marketing strategies because he’s “seen a million faces and rocked them all,” as well as Taylor Swift.

Late afternoon and evening: Transition into calmer music to help you wind down.

To combat the late-afternoon droopsies, our team brings out the classics: Radiohead, Fleetwood Mac, Van Halen and Broadway soundtracks. Some go back a long way, featuring tracks from Debussy, Chopin and Mozart. Oh, and Taylor Swift.

For commutes or chores: Use more upbeat music to boost mood and energy.

Research shows that when we are driving, we listen to music 75% of the time. Researchers can’t agree definitely on whether or not genres have direct links to certain behaviors, for example, identifying whether a specific type of music can consistently benefit or detract from distraction. Since people react to specific genres of music differently, it is best to select tracks that promote both calmness and alertness.

For the Fullcast team, that includes Vince Gill, Drake, Angus Julia Stone, Chris Stapleton, Sub Focus, TOTO and Taylor Swift, as well as any classic rock, country or hip hop.

Combine with other healthy habits.

Although some riffs are magical (hello, “Layla” via Eric Clapton’s Derek and the Dominos phase), music alone isn’t magic. Its power comes from pairing it with exposure to daylight, physical activity (even indoor), social connection and good sleep hygiene, which amplifies its benefits.

Seasonal change influences what music feels right to us. And because music plays such a strong role in mood, stress, activity and even social interaction, being aware of these shifts offers a low-cost, accessible way to enhance mental and physical wellness.

By intentionally curating your soundscape to match or gently counteract seasonal moods, you can navigate the year’s cycle in a way that supports a healthier, more balanced life.

What are your go-to tunes for fall?

J’Nel Wright is the content director and social media manager at Fullcast, a Silicon Slopes-based, end-to-end RevOps platform that allows companies to design, manage and track the performance of their revenue-generating teams.