Mood and the Weather

How is it that a person's mood can sometimes be dominated by the weather?

It seems that if there is an abundance of rain and we are all quarantined to inside activities our moods can change. When its raining we wake up when it is dark out, get wet when we go outside, require extra paraphernalia like raincoats, boots, and umbrella's. Often we have little desire to go do a Fred Astaire move like "Singing in the Rain", so we just do our necessary activities and try to get back home as soon as humanly possible. There are some people that when it rains out find it difficult to get out of bed. Their room is dark, the bed is dry and seemingly extra comfortable and cozy and the last thing that is on the forefront of any one's mind is to get out and face the rain.

There are people that do love the rain and welcome it with open arms. Rain is a necessary part of nature's process and we don't want the opposite affect of a drought so all our crops and flowers dry up. Our rivers, reservoirs, grass, trees, and animals need rain My point is that when it does rain several days in a row it can some how alter our moods, but it is required necessity of life.

I find that snow storms are similar to rain, but they do seem a little more exciting and are an overall brighter experience. When it snows children get excited that they may be missing school, people get anxious that they have to shovel and travel in the snow, and the snow plower people get happy knowing that they will be earning overtime during their seasonal profession. There are a lot of positive experiences that come out of snow. It is pretty, you get to build a snowman, go sledding, skiing, and get additional exercise from shoveling. Unless it is a massive snow storm where the sky gets dark, snow seems to make everything pretty around us and lights up the outside. It seems that the snow has a more encouraging effect emotionally on people's mood, at least temporarily until it becomes a nuisance.

In those areas where there are seasonal changes, after combating a long and difficult winters it is welcoming to have our first nice beautiful day of weather with the sun shining, getting to open the winds and get fresh air, and even taking a walk so that sunglasses are required. Those first several days when the weather is good after a dreary winter seems to brighten out moods, re energize us about good things to come and allows us to think more positively about doing outside activities.

When the weather is good and warmer we get to wear lighter clothing (which doesn't weight us down), drive around with windows and tops down,and it prompts us to exercise outside like ride bikes/roller skate/go for walks. Even just sitting outside in the sun seems to readjust our moods and inspires us to want to do positive things in our lives even if it is as small as a smile.

There are mental health diagnosis that are impacted by the weather called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but typically people who suffer with this problem have to experience symptoms for at least 2yrs before they are classified. These people who experience the "Winter Blues" seem to have their moods altered significantly from the weather and suffer with depressive like symptoms during the winter months, but then their moods improve during the changing of the seasons.

My point is in talking about the weather and moods is just to raise am overall awareness about how something that may seem insignificant can greatly impact on how he function on a daily basis. If you noticed that you are more sluggish or melancholy then usual during those winter months try to inspire yourself to get out of the bed, out of the house to do something to recharge your energy level like going for a walk, working out at the gym, or going to visit a friend. Physical activities can be stimulating just like a sunny day. It is important to remember that as life changes, so do the seasons and we will once again welcome those beautiful spring days soon.

The weather can impact a mood but not guide it on a regular and routine basis. If you think you may suffer with a mood disorder, possibly during the winter months, you should go to a mental health specialist for a consultation and evaluation.