How Does Weather Affect Your Mood?

For some people, changes in weather correlate with changes in their mood. It could be a small change that goes unnoticed, or it could be a significant change that can really take a toll on a person’s mental health.

According to WebMD, it’s possible for bad weather, such as rain, to have a negative effect on one’s emotions. Common feelings related to bad weather are sadness and lower self-esteem. The rain can make people want to stay inside with the lights off, but psychiatrist Julia Samton says that the best thing to do keep the lights on or go out for a walk. This is because light boosts serotonin in the brain, which can elevate one’s mood.

Because light has the power to better someone’s mood, sunshine has been found to most significantly alter a person’s mood. The sun can boost positive moods, diminish negative ones and reduce tiredness. It has also been found that people are more helpful when the sun is out.

Rain isn’t the only kind of weather that can change one’s mood. Although some may think that they’ll be happier when the weather is warm, higher temperatures have been proven to affect moods negatively. Increased temperatures can cause people to be more irritable, distressed and jittery. It has also been found that higher temperatures correlate with increased aggression and violence.

Changes in weather aren’t only associated with changes in mood and emotions. It can also affect a person’s mental health. According to Mental Health America, approximately five percent of the U.S. population has been diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a subtype of depression or bipolar disorder that causes a person to have a depressive episode that starts and ends around the same time every year. Although it is very common during the winter months, SAD can be connected with any season throughout the year.

If you find yourself down because of the weather, there are many ways to help brighten your mood. Comfort food can help boost serotonin much as light does, so turn on the lights and eat some food rich in nutrients and carbohydrates. Working out has also been proven to aid with negative feelings. It increases endorphins and neurotransmitters in the brain, which are chemicals that make you happier.

Another way to help is to spend time with your pets. Petting animals has been proven to lower blood pressure, which can help calm you down.

So next time the weather is bad, take notice of  any negative change in your mood and try to find a way to lighten it.