Every September I go through the same cycle: energy crashes, I get sick right when a sprint deadline hits, and I spend October wondering why I feel like garbage. Turns out it's not just "back to school energy" or coincidence — there's actual physiology behind it, and as developers we're honestly more exposed to it than most people.
Here's the thing nobody tells you: if your job is 8+ hours indoors under artificial light, staring at a monitor, you're already starting fall at a disadvantage compared to people with outdoor jobs. Less incidental sunlight, less movement, more stress, worse sleep from blue light — and then the season itself piles on top of that.
So here's what I actually looked into after one too many "why am I sick during code freeze" moments.
The Core Problem: Everything Drops at Once
Summer masks a lot of deficiencies. More sunlight = more vitamin D synthesized in your skin. More daylight hours = your circadian rhythm mostly regulates itself. More fresh produce in season = easier to eat well without trying.
