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The psychology of weather: how it affects our mood.

Weather has always been a topic of universal fascination. It shapes our daily lives, influencing what we wear, where we go, and even our overall mood. While many consider the weather as mere small talk, its impact on our psychological well-being is profound and well-documented. In this article, we delve into the psychology of weather, exploring how it affects our mood, behavior, and mental health.

The Weather-Mood Connection

Sunshine and happiness.

Sunshine : The mere sight of sunshine often elicits feelings of joy and contentment. Sunlight triggers the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation. Higher serotonin levels are linked to increased feelings of happiness and well-being. This is why sunny days often put people in a better mood.

Vitamin D : Sunlight is also essential for the synthesis of vitamin D in our bodies. Adequate vitamin D levels are associated with better mental health. A lack of sunlight, particularly in the winter months, can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression.

Rain and Melancholy

Rain : Rainy, overcast days can evoke feelings of sadness and melancholy in many people. The absence of sunlight on such days can lead to decreased serotonin production, potentially contributing to mood changes.

Cabin Fever : Being stuck indoors due to heavy rain or storms can lead to a condition often referred to as "cabin fever." This is characterized by restlessness, irritability, and a longing for outdoor activities.

Temperature's Influence

Extreme Heat : High temperatures can lead to irritability, discomfort, and even aggression. Studies have shown a correlation between hot weather and increased aggression and violence.

Cold and Isolation : Extremely cold weather can limit outdoor activities and social interaction, potentially leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Weather and Mental Health

Seasonal affective disorder (sad).

SAD : Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs seasonally, usually in the fall and winter when there is less natural sunlight. The exact cause of SAD is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to reduced exposure to sunlight.

Symptoms : Common symptoms of SAD include persistent sadness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep patterns, and weight gain.

Treatment : Treatment for SAD often includes light therapy, where individuals are exposed to bright artificial light that mimics natural sunlight. Psychotherapy and medication may also be recommended in severe cases.

Bipolar Disorder

Weather Triggers : Some individuals with bipolar disorder report that changes in weather, particularly shifts from warm to cold or vice versa, can trigger manic or depressive episodes.

Disrupted Circadian Rhythms : Weather changes can disrupt sleep patterns, which is a common trigger for mood disturbances in individuals with bipolar disorder.

The Psychology of Weather Phobias

Storm anxiety.

Astraphobia : This is the fear of thunder and lightning. For those with astraphobia, the approach of a storm can trigger extreme anxiety and panic attacks.

Treatment : Treatment for astraphobia often involves exposure therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medications to manage anxiety symptoms.

Seasonal Phobias

Chionophobia : The fear of snow can lead to anxiety and avoidance behaviors, particularly in regions with harsh winters.

Treatment : Treatment for chionophobia may include exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and addressing any underlying anxiety disorders.

Weather and Daily Life

Productivity.

Sunny Days : Many people report increased productivity and motivation on sunny days. The presence of natural light can enhance focus and energy levels.

Rainy Days : Rainy days can have a dampening effect on productivity for some individuals. The gloomy atmosphere can lead to procrastination and reduced motivation.

Social Behavior

Outdoor Activities : Weather often dictates the types of social activities people engage in. Sunny weather encourages outdoor gatherings and socializing, while rainy or cold weather may lead to indoor activities.

Weather's Impact on Relationships : For couples, bad weather can lead to more time spent indoors together, potentially strengthening their bond. On the flip side, extreme weather conditions can lead to stress and conflicts if not managed well.

Coping Strategies

Light therapy.

For SAD : Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, is a common treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder. It involves sitting near a lightbox that emits bright, artificial light to mimic natural sunlight.

Daily Routine : Incorporating exposure to natural light into your daily routine, even on cloudy days, can help regulate your circadian rhythms and improve mood.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Stress Reduction : Mindfulness techniques and meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety associated with weather-related phobias or mood changes.

Staying Present : Mindfulness practices encourage staying present in the moment, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of different weather conditions.

Indoor Exercise : On days when outdoor activities are limited, engaging in indoor exercise can help boost mood and reduce the impact of weather-induced mood changes.

Outdoor Activities : On pleasant days, take advantage of the good weather by engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or picnicking.

Weather and Personal Resilience

While weather undoubtedly influences our mood and behavior, it's important to recognize that personal resilience and coping strategies play a significant role in how we respond to weather-related challenges.

Adaptability

Flexibility : Developing the ability to adapt to changing weather conditions can reduce the negative impact of weather on your mood. Having alternative plans for indoor activities during bad weather can be helpful.

Positive Outlook : Cultivating a positive mindset and learning to appreciate the beauty of various weather conditions can help you better navigate mood changes associated with weather.

Support System

Social Connections : Maintaining strong social connections and seeking support from friends and family during challenging weather can provide emotional stability.

The psychology of weather is a complex and fascinating area of study. Weather affects us all, whether we realize it or not, and its impact on our mood and mental health is undeniable. By understanding these connections and implementing coping strategies, we can better navigate the emotional challenges that different weather conditions may bring. Remember, while the weather may influence our mood, we have the power to adapt and cultivate resilience, ensuring that even on the gloomiest days, our mental well-being remains sunny.

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December 20, 2023

How Winter Affects Our Mood and Behavior

From experiencing seasonal depression to feeling friskier, here are some ways winter affects people's mental health and attitude

By Michael Varnum , Ian Hohm & The Conversation US

Sad dog on rocking chair looking through window at gloomy, blues winter day

Short winter days can influence your brain chemistry.

alexei_tm/Alamy Stock Photo

The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation , an online publication covering the latest research.

What comes to mind when you think about winter? Snowflakes? Mittens? Reindeer? In much of the Northern Hemisphere, winter means colder temperatures, shorter days and year-end holidays.

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Along with these changes,  a growing body of research in psychology  and related fields suggests that winter also brings some profound changes in how people think, feel and behave.

While it’s one thing to identify seasonal tendencies in the population, it’s much trickier to try to untangle why they exist. Some of winter’s effects have been tied to cultural norms and practices, while others likely reflect our bodies’ innate biological responses to changing meteorological and ecological conditions. The natural and cultural changes that come with winter often occur simultaneously, making it challenging to tease apart the causes underlying these seasonal swings.

With   our  colleagues  Alexandra Wormley  and  Mark Schaller , we recently conducted an  extensive survey of these findings .

Wintertime blues and a long winter’s nap

Do you find yourself feeling down in the winter months? You’re not alone. As the days grow shorter, the American Psychiatric Association estimates that  about 5% of Americans will experience  a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

People experiencing SAD   tend to have feelings of hopelessness , decreased motivation to take part in activities they generally enjoy, and lethargy.  Even those who don’t meet the clinical threshold  for this disorder may see increases in anxiety and depressive symptoms; in fact, some estimates suggest  more than 40% of Americans experience these symptoms  to some degree in the winter months.

Scientists link SAD and more general increases in depression in the winter to decreased exposure to sunlight, which  leads to lower levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin . Consistent with the idea that sunlight plays a key role, SAD tends to be more common  in more northern regions of the world , like Scandinavia and Alaska, where the days are shortest and the winters longest.

Humans, special as we may be, are not unique in showing some of these seasonally linked changes. For instance, our primate relative the  Rhesus macaque shows seasonal declines in mood .

Some scientists have noted that  SAD shows many parallels to hibernation  – the long snooze during which brown bears,  ground squirrels  and many other species turn down their metabolism and skip out on the worst of winter. Seasonal affective disorder may have its roots in adaptations that conserve energy at a time of year when food was typically scarce and when  lower temperatures pose greater energetic demands  on the body.

Winter is well known as a time of year when many people put on a few extra pounds. Research suggests that  diets are at their worst , and  waistlines at their largest , during the winter. In fact, a  recent review  of studies on this topic found that average weight gains around the holiday season are around 1 to 3 pounds (0.5 to 1.3 kilograms), though those who are overweight or obese tend to gain more.

There’s likely more going on with year-end weight gain than just overindulgence in abundant holiday treats. In our ancestral past, in many places, winter meant that food became more scarce.  Wintertime reductions in exercise  and increases in how much and what people eat may have been an evolutionary adaptation to this scarcity. If the ancestors who had these reactions to colder, winter environments were at an advantage, evolutionary processes would make sure the adaptations were passed on to their descendants, coded into our genes.

Sex, generosity and focus

Beyond these winter-related shifts in mood and waistlines, the season brings with it a number of other changes in how people think and interact with others.

One less discussed seasonal effect is that people seem to get friskier in the winter months. Researchers know this from analyses of condom sales, sexually transmitted disease rates and  internet searches for pornography and prostitution , all of which  show biannual cycles ,  peaking in the late summer  and then  in the winter months . Data on birth rates also shows that in the United States and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere, babies are  more likely to be conceived in the winter months  than at other times of the year.

Although this phenomenon is widely observed, the reason for its existence is unclear.  Researchers have suggested many explanations , including health advantages for infants born in late summer, when food may historically have been more plentiful, changes in sex hormones altering libido, desires for intimacy motivated by the holiday season, and simply increased opportunities to engage in sex. However, changes in sexual opportunities are likely not the whole story, given that winter brings not just increased sexual behaviors, but greater  desire and interest in sex  as well.

Winter boosts more than sex drive. Studies find that during this time of year, people may have an easier time paying attention at school or work. Neuroscientists in Belgium found that performance on  tasks measuring sustained attention  was best during the wintertime. Research suggests that seasonal changes in levels of serotonin and dopamine driven by less exposure to daylight may help explain  shifts in cognitive function during winter . Again, there are parallels with other animals – for instance, African striped mice  navigate mazes better  during winter.

And there may also be a kernel of truth to the idea of a generous Christmas spirit. In countries where the holiday is widely celebrated, rates of charitable giving tend to  show a sizable increase around this time of year . And  people become more generous tippers , leaving about 4% more for waitstaff during the holiday season. This tendency is likely not due to snowy surroundings or darker days, but instead a response to the altruistic values associated with winter holidays that encourage behaviors like generosity.

People change with the seasons

Like many other animals, we too are seasonal creatures. In the winter, people eat more, move less and mate more. You may feel a bit more glum, while also being kinder to others and having an easier time paying attention. As psychologists and other scientists research these kinds of seasonal effects, it may turn out that the ones we know about so far are only the tip of the iceberg.

This article was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .