I was browsing a blog the other day and saw an undated (recent?) entry suggesting that research shows that “weather has little effect on our mood.” The entry relied heavily on a recent study (Denissen et al., 2008) that shows that although a correlation between mood and weather does exist, it’s a small one (not nearly as large as conventional wisdom might suggest). The entry quotes almost exclusively and entirely from the one study.
I’m familiar with this area of research, so I found the entry’s conclusions a little simplistic and not really doing justice to this topic. There’s a fair amount of research in this area (more than the 3 or 4 studies mentioned in the blog), and I think the overall preponderance of evidence suggests that weather can have more than just a “little effect” on your mood.
Some previous research confirms the blog entry’s conclusion that weather may have little effect on our moods. For instance, Hardt & Gerbershagen (1999) looked at 3,000 chronic pain patients who came to a hospital over a 5-year period. The researchers had patients fill out a depression questionnaire, and then analyzed the results. They found no correlation between depression and the time of the year, nor the amount of daily hours of sunshine. But the researchers only examined depression, and didn’t measure how much time subjects spent outside (a factor that some have suggested might influence how much the weather impacts us).
Other research paints a very different picture.
Howard and Hoffman (1984) had 24 college students keep track of their mood (by filling out a mood questionnaire) over 11 consecutive days. They found a significant effect on mood correlated with the weather, especially with regards to humidity (a component of weather not always measured):
Humidity, temperature, and hours of sunshine had the greatest effect on mood. High levels of humidity lowered scores on concentration while increasing reports of sleepiness. Rising temperatures lowered anxiety and skepticism mood scores. […]
The number of hours of sunshine was found to predict optimism scores significantly. As the number of hours of sunshine increased, optimism scores also increased. […]
Mood scores on the depression and anxiety scales were not predicted by any weather variable.
Another study by Sanders and Brizzolara (1982) on 30 college students also found similar findings — that high humidity was a predictor for lack of vigor, elation, and affection.
But you may dismiss these studies as small, or on unrepresentative samples (college students). You’d have a harder time making that argument against Faust et al.’s (1974) study on 16,000 students in Basle City, Switzerland. Although not the most robust study designed, the researchers nonetheless found that nearly one-third of the girls and one fifth of the boys responded negatively to certain weather conditions. Symptoms reported included poor sleep, irritability, and dysphoric (depressed) mood.
If you noticed that higher humidity is associated with certain mood states, you won’t be surprised to hear there is also a good body of research that has investigated the link between heat and different types of human behavior, especially aggression (see, for example, Rotton & Cohn, 2004; Cohn & Rotton, 2005; Anderson, 1987; etc.). While there’s some debate as to how strong a relationship exists between heat and violence, this is a relationship that been undergoing research since the 1970s. At this point, it’s not in question whether a link exists, just how strong and what the relationship exactly looks like (and whether it’s mediated by other factors, like time of day).
The Weather Can Affect You Negatively & Positively
Keller and his colleagues (2005) examined 605 participants responses in three separate studies to examine the connection between mood states, a person’s thinking and the weather. They found that:
[…P]leasant weather (higher temperature or barometric pressure) was related to higher mood, better memory, and ‘‘broadened” cognitive style during the spring as time spent outside increased. The same relationships between mood and weather were not observed during other times of year, and indeed hotter weather was associated with lower mood in the summer.
These results are consistent with findings on seasonal affective disorder, and suggest that pleasant weather improves mood and broadens cognition in the spring because people have been deprived of such weather during the winter.
So while Denissen et al. (2008) found no general ability for the weather itself to lift us into a more positive mood (contrary to both Howard & Hoffman and Keller’s findings above), the researchers did find that the weather can impact our moods negatively. And while that effect in the present study was small, it confirms the same effect found in a multitude of other studies (some of which are mentioned above).
Another way to look at it is that Denissen and colleagues confirmed prior research that showed that people’s moods and emotions can definitely be affected by the weather. The strength of that relationship varies from person to person. But a study’s design has a lot to do with trying to find this relationship in the data. And while Denissen’s design was good, it wasn’t foolproof. Its problems include the over-representation of women in the sample (89%), suggesting a skewed and biased sample, and the response rate, with participants submitting on average half the number of surveys needed by the study’s design. In other words, the data may not be the most robust in the world either (despite the large sample size).
So, sorry, yes, weather does appear to impact our moods. And that effect may become serious. Look no further for evidence of this than the very real condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is characterized by feelings of sadness and depression that occur in the winter months when the temperatures drop and the days grow short. This specific form of depression is often associated with excessive eating or sleeping and weight gain. Women are twice to three times more likely to suffer from the winter blues than men. If SAD is merely a “culturally transmitted idea” (as the blog quotes the researchers as suggesting), then so is every mental disorder to one extent or another.
The new research provides some contradictory data to previous findings. And when such discrepancies arise, the answer is not to conclude the matter settled, but to go and conduct more research. So what Denissen’s study really shows is that more research is needed to better determine the strength of the link, and whether it affects people in different geographical regions (and countries).
So no, you’re not crazy if you think your mood is affected by the weather. Nearly 40 years of research suggests there’s a strong link. And one that, in some people, can lead to significant seasonal problems.
Learn more: Can Weather Affect Your Mood? An Update on the Research
Read the PsyBlog blog entry that got the research wrong: Weather Has Little Effect on Mood
References:
Anderson, C.A. (1987). Temperature and aggression: Effects on quarterly, yearly, and city rates of violent and nonviolent crime. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(6), 1161-1173.
Cohn, E.G. & Rotton, J. (2005). The curve is still out there: A reply to Bushman, Wang, and Anderson’s (2005) ‘Is the curve relating temperature to aggression linear or curvilinear?’ Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89(1), 67-70.
Denissen, J.J.A.; Butalid, Ligaya; Penke, Lars; van Aken, Marcel A. G. (2008). The effects of weather on daily mood: A multilevel approach. Emotion, 8(5), 662-667.
Faust, V., Weidmann, M. & Wehner, W. (1974). The influence of meteorological factors on children and youths: A 10% random selection of 16,000 pupils and apprentices of Basle City (Switzerland). Acta Paedopsychiatrica: International Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(4), 150-156.
Hardt, J. & Gerbershagen, H. U. (1999). No changes in mood with the seasons: Observations in 3000 chronic pain patients. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 100(4), 288-294.
Howarth, E. & Hoffman, M.S. (1984). A multidimensional approach to the relationship between mood and weather. British Journal of Psychology, 75(1), 15-23.
Keller, Matthew C.; Fredrickson, Barbara L.; Ybarra, Oscar; Côté, Stéphane; Johnson, Kareem; Mikels, Joe; Conway, Anne; Wager, Tor; (2005). A Warm Heart and a Clear Head: The Contingent Effects of Weather on Mood and Cognition. Psychological Science, 16(9),724-731.
Rotton, J. & Cohn, E.G. (2004). Outdoor Temperature, Climate Control and Criminal Assault: The Spatial and Temporal Ecology of Violence. Environment and Behavior, 36(2), 276-306.
Sanders, J.L. & Brizzolara, M.S. (1982). Relationships between weather and mood. Journal of General Psychology, 107(1), 155-156.
51 comments
Very interesting article!
The bottom-line from my perspective (based on years of research studying retail sales and weather) is that people’s behavior is fundamentally influenced by the weather and climate. Physical comfort and need — the foundation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs — are driven to a very great extent by the weather and climate.
Layer on the influence of the weather on the mood of a consumer and it illustrates very strongly just how interconnected we all our to our environment — from a personal, emotional, and economic perspective.
Paul Walsh
G2 Weather Intelligence
I certainly feel changes in the weather. I can feel the days getting shorter by mid to late August, although that is only mild feelings of sadness and dread of weather to come. Cloudy days affect me the most. It feels like the clouds surround me, permeate me, and suffocate me. Abrupt changes (increases in cloudiness / temperature drops) are the most obvious.
I see it in others around me too. I have had several clients with seasonal patterns. I work with people with developmental disabilities, and on a cloudy day sometimes I no sooner walked into the building and immediately observed three or four people fighting, throwing things, and saying they wanted to be dead or hurt somebody.
At a staff meeting this morning (different setting – geriatric clients), we observed that a lot more patients than usual were talking about wanting to die last week (after the weather shifted from warm and clear to very cold and overcast or wet). I felt that one too.
weather does affect your mood, a lot. It would be useful to see more articles focusing on treatment/solution based response to this well studied affect.
As health care providers for patients affected by mood, how do you counteract the mood fluctuations? My strategy is I acknowledge the affect but ask the patient what THEY are going to do about it, because they cannot change the weather, and no matter what, “bad” weather happens everywhere.
@Me I take it from your response that you have patients and thus must be a physician of some sort. I very much like your attitude and suggestion to acknowledge a patient’s weather related symptoms. As far as what to do about it, given that the weather can’t be changed – I don’t know – but have a few tips. For anyone interested – Patient or Physician: Without knowing if/what other contributing factors there may be, I can state as a matter of certain fact, with no room for opinion, that fluctuations in weather can hugely affect a person’s physical/mental state! Regardless of what research/science finds or does not find – this particular human is affected my weather conditions, as such we, therefore, have proof!
For 30 years it had always, %100 of the time, has to do with overcast weather and rain for me. The “symptoms” range from very mild to severe. As to the severe symptoms: the most basic is the headache caused by overcast skies and/or rain. Said headache can last for as long as this weather state lasts, it can be severe and unrelieved by medications, often accompanied by days of nausea and vomiting, dizziness and vision problems. A rather unbearable symptom that is difficult to articulate are physical “sensations” brought on by these specific weather conditions. Muscle and joint pain are part of it ( easily relatable) accompanied by what I can only describe as a wired electric feeling throughout the body. Surely that’s not an adequate description as what human being would know what “electricity” in the body would feel like? It’s a sensation that causes the necessity to stretch constantly in order to achieve some seconds of relief. This in turn causes a general mental state of irritability/aggression/ or the mental state causes the physical??? Loud noises become intolerable etc. When symptoms are this severe I find there is nothing to be done but wait it out till the weather pattern passes. However when less severe, or responsive: coffee can help for the migraine type headache, LOTS of cold fluids (preferably water) can greatly help with the muscle and joint pains. For the wired sensation: cold water along with a B complex vitamin and liquid minerals can provide a great measure of relief. Perhaps something like an electrolyte drink will suffice. If at all possible, bar raging headache & vomiting, getting outside to walk, stretch, and breath deeply will help relieve/release some of the tension in order that you may return home and be able to do some sort of meditation.
I do not doubt that, at least in my case, there may likely be unknown contributing factors (female hormone fluctuations probably being one such factor) though I’m not sure. The only fact that remains is that this constellation of symptoms ONLY occur prior to the onset of overcast skies, rains and worse when lightening is involved and they last, to some degree, for the duration of that weather pattern.
If nothing else, I hope this can serve as validation for anyone who experiences this. One other suggestion in dealing with it’s severity is to try to get to a point of acceptance, sleeping more for those two or three days if you can, and knowing that it will eventually pass. In terms of the skepticism you’ve likely encountered from your Dr or more than one Dr. It’s important to remember that you in fact know how your body responds and a physician telling you it’s not possible should not cause you concern or anxiety. Doctors are simply professionals like the rest of us, they are not all knowing and their body of knowledge is based on the accepted research available to them.
In the past one of the most important things a Dr. learned concerned the simple act
of “listening to the patient” in order ascertain a possible diagnosis or research the issue to help the patient. For a host of reasons this is no longer done! We must accept current realities in health care. We’d do well to understand that this profession which is equally an art and a science is now void of the art. The art is now simply to refer the patient to psychiatry or to prescribe psychotropic drugs. So if you are healthy mentally and physically in most other ways and unless your Dr can explain why an antidepressant will treat weather related symptoms then doing the best you can and acceptance is key.
That was a concise explanation. For many years upon returning home to the Ohio valley i would ALWAYS arrive with a headache. It took years for me to realize it was because of a drastic change in altitude. Today, I can tell when a weather front is coming because i dip into the depths of depression. But i do not cater to the whims of depression. I actively plan my days with little steps and successes. Those little steps and successes help me break through the depression barrier.
Depression is a liar. I remind myself of truths instead. I have learned this the hard way…the depressive monster will lure and bind you to a place of no return…I’ve gotten close enough to be burned and will not allow myself to be lured again. It is an active CHOICE.
I think that weather does effect moods. I also think it effects your body like if you have arthritis on a rainy day your bones be hurtin i would know, even a couple days before it rains your bones start aching. And mood wise ex: i love the snow its beautiful and just amazing site to see so i get excited and if it rains i dont particularly like it n i just wanna sleep and i do and if its a thunder storm im excited, adn if its hot n sunny out i get mad, now for everyone its different but i believe it does change alot!
I would be willing to go as far as saying it is almost common knowledge that weather has an effect on mood. Of course, this is merely opinion. But I believe that weather absolutely has an effect on mood. Howard and Hoffman found that the number of hours of sunshine was found to predict optimism scores, which I’m sure a lot of people would agree with. Keller’s study found results that were consistent with findings on seasonal affective disorder. I feel that these results are closest to the actual link between weather and mood. In my opinion, people are more greatly affected by weather if a significant change in weather has occurred. For example, if its been cold and raining for a week straight and then all of a sudden its 75 degrees and sunny outside, people are much more likely to be affected by this in a positive way.
commenting usually isnt my thing, but ive spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the info
Today i felt like the happiest ive been in quite a while. It was much sunnier than oter days and i just felt generally happy. I love the summer so signs of summer could of made me happy. im not sure
Interesting article.Common wisdom and observation of oneself indicate that weather has indeed a strong effect in mood. Of course, many other things may affect that, including personal attitudes.
However, I would like to know the severe psychological effects of weather. In certain regions, for example the extreme south of Chile, madness and even suicide is commonly associated to strong winds, which often blow for several days. Is there any scientific evidence of that?
Being bipolar, with mental illness in other family members, and having a child who commited suicide, I know weather affects the brain, causing anxiety, sadness, depression. I don’t know if any studies have been done with those having known mental illnesses to document the fact that weather changes are definitely when their moods escalate? I feel that studies with mostly college students would less than accurate. With hectic schedules and continual action, charting may be slack, and I know many characteristics of mental illness become more prevalent in later years.
Just a thought….testing and charting those who have times of great difficulty, to see what triggers those bouts???
the article is really good
I believe weather and geography have had profound effects on feelings, human behavior and the course of history itself. The environmental influences are so pervasive we don’t even notice them as a cause. After spending many years in different countries and climates you can’t help but notice how warm weather effects the behavior of people. Stereo types about “fun-loving” Italians or Africans in certain good weather countries and “reserved” Germans and New Englanders have elements of truth. Storing and planning is more required in countries with longer winters, while spontaneous enjoyment does not threaten survival as much in warmer countries. People become “slugs” in steamy, humid Georgia summers, and “energized” in cool late summer New England summers; New Yorkers generally don’t talk to each other in the street especially on cold winter days; southerners in Dallas talk to each other while sitting outside on stoops and on and on. These banal observations have some how been missed by certain scientists. Don’t ask me how. Acid rain often causes more depression than clean Monsoon rains in less polluted areas of Asia. There are nuances that have to be considered. “Rainy” days are not all alike. People often love a good downpour and feel relaxed, softer and at peace, yet feel restless, ill at ease or depressed on overcast, acid drizzly days. Warm days make us relax in the sun; cold days makes us walk faster to keep warm or make us stay inside where we tend to feel more tense. It’s true that some people feel way more affected by weather than others; research into possible physiological reasons would be fascinating. But in a recent very rainy LI spring, shops lost customers and both the economy and mood went into a depression that lasted until July when the sun finally came out and people went shopping and started eating out. The spring prior to this had been sunny and people had started eating out and spending money on April 1; it was in all the local papers; shop keepers were saying that the weather was effecting their sales more than the great recession/wall streeet crash of 2008.
I kinda just have a question really cause even though I know that the weather definitely has an effect on peoples mood in the way you have just outlined..I am curious…. I myself love the rain and the winter time…. as a matter of fact when it starts to rain I get all giddy inside and want to go play in it and whatnot… The winter time aside from being cold just puts me in a wonderful mood…
very interesting article…..I like this
does anyone have any thoughts on whether a white Christmas elevates the mood of people?
I know all of that research very well, am a Psychology Ph.D. and full professor, and I would not draw the conclusion that you draw here. The conclusions that Keller et al draw after a careful study is that sunny/warm weather has a beneficial effect WHEN the weather goes from bad to good and WHEN people can be out it in. I am much more comfortable with that conclusion when I look over the research. Individuals are not good at knowing the actual multiple and interactive causes of their behavior and their moods so I count on good science to tell us. Many Europeans are sure that Americans have fake smiles, are superficial, insincere and are unconcerned about their familes and fellow men/women. Should we say they are right because it is their experience?
i was doing a science project on information on can the weather really effect your mood and its due in 1 week so yea time goes really fast so its realyl due really soon?I need real information really fast now not trying to be demanding or anythig just i just need answers very soon please thank you very much!?
My daughter is doing a project on “does the weather affect your mood” do you have any useful information that you could share.
Would really appreciate input
I have no clue this is talking about!
@mariah it was talking about how weather affects yourr mood and what happens when it does and it was also explaining the different things happening
hoped this helped ,fellow blogger
nice… i like this article… very kool…
is anybody even here??
just wanted 2 know…
I believe that this is a very interesting article
Hello. I enjoyed the article. Thanks.
Also, I find the observations of “everythingisweather” in 5/10/09 very fascinating. I will definately keep it in mind.
I grew up in Southeast Asia (ie.year-round: warm, humid and sunny weather with wonderful afternoon thunder storms/seasonal monsoons) and am now living in North Asia (ie. ever changing weather conditions, humidity, rainfall, sunshine, rapidly changing temperatures). So, I can relate to some of the observations made.
I really appreciate the comments made by everyone above. So, thanks. I am checking now on whether, and how, air pressure can influence our mood. Does anyone know?
I’m convinced weather plays a role in our moods. I know for a fact that I’m affected by the onset of winter and shortening of day length. I’ve also observed a shortening of tempers among workmates in extreme heat – not daily so much as over time when night time temperatures remain high enough to make sleep difficult – I think it’s lack of sleep as the real issue. Interesting post.
Weather does effect moods. Whenever it’s raining, I just wanna sleep, and my back always aches. So it effects me both physically and mentally.
But can it affect our business desicions as well?
Good morning folks ! Or is it ? . Weather can massively affect our moods ! I live in the uk and we are pretty used to dull weather which is prob why we can all be so miserable for sure ! . I awoke ( well I have not really slept) this morning with such a headache and aching back , and I have def not touched alcohol or been lifting anything heavy. It is raining here today and the temp is approx 14’c, humidity has been high although am unsure of exact pressure. The weather for the last two days has been between 22’c and 30’c , much drying and the pressure has def been lower and on these days I have jumped out of bed and felt fantastic ! No aches or pains! I find it’s the massive daily change between weather that’s makes me feel worse! Ah and air cabin pressure makes me the same
I would like to add. The fact that I am a happy healthy 30 yr old who actually loves the rain and snow too! It’s fascinating when you really think about how we all react to the weather and also the moon ! Which of course is opposite to the sunshine 🙂 ! (sorry I know that’s a little obvious) I notice changes in my female collegues at work around a full moon . We try to distant ourselves from nature so much at times , being the greater beings we think we are. I have throughly enjoyed reading all the comments on here !
Over the last 30 years I can tell the weather by my mood. When a low pressure is on its way (24 hours or so before it arrives) I’m tense and do not sleep very well. Before a high pressure system arrives, I’m very relaxed and sleep soundly.
To me ..
Summer is my tiardest + depression season ..
Fall is a time for mind refreshing, but not to work..
Winter a happens one + some how it’s calm my feeling down ..here I can do my best ..
Spring it’s as vacation time …I can let my soul gaid me to right things..
May be I feel like that coz I live ..med east Asia
Really it’s so interesting ,,
Thank for everyone..
I don’t think that sunshine has anything to do with optisim because I live in AZ the sun is always shineing and only 5% of the people here are have optisim
I just googled up whether or not the weather can affect our moods when I came upon your article. I will briefly share my experience with this. I have a mood disorder.
I have Bipolar II Disorder, along with Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety issues and PTSD issues. I have done a lot of therapy and have learned to cope. But what I do notice with my moods is that on days when the sun is not out, I am in such a miserable fog.
I feel really bummed and down. On days when the sun is out, especially days when it’s bright and the weather is beautiful out, I’m extremely happy, hyper and upbeat. For example, yesterday it was a gorgeous day out. The sun was out and the weather was warm.
Today, it was grey all day, not one ounce of sunshine and it was so cool that I actually had to turn my heat on which was odd for June. I’m feeling so bummed, that I knew it was the lack of sunshine but felt like googling it anyway.
I wish I’d day in summer. This is how bad I feel in summer. MAnia, irritability, depression. I HATE SUMMER.
Hopefully autumn/winter are just around the corner.
Good article, but there is increasing recognition for the summer version of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or even for people who may not technically get depressed in summer but have light sensitivity or get headaches caused by a lot of sun. Ph.green and smartt@t seem to be two of these types of people, I’m another. Summer is depressing for me and it’s only worse with harassing comments from others because we are not comfortable with what is “popular.”
I wonder if that study only linked responses to one type of weather condition, or did it find any bimodal responses where some felt much better in cooler, cloudier and/or dimmer (less or a lower angle of sun) conditions?
Perhaps an investigation into the psychology of summer SAD could be in order?
I’d like to see/read more about how changest in weather affect people. I lived in an area with volatile weather changes for years. As time went by, I believe mood, fms and arthritis were all affected. I had contant headaches, irritability, etc whenever the weather changed. Eventually, I had this from about Oct-April, when the sky was overcast continually. I tried to go outside during the day and got a special lamp to help with light, but it did not help at all. The only way I know to explain it is that I had a “body migraine.” Not just my head, but my whole body reacted to volatile weather by feeling swollen, irritable and painful.
I moved to Arizona a few years ago. I have the same problems during our two “rainy” seasons, but the affects are much less and much shorter.
BTW, I also lived in Central Americz for a while. The daily rain shower did not bother me.
Fascinating subject. I softening myself consciously wonderinghowthe weather is impacting mood. I am Rothwell researched on the subject, however, have a nuanced opinion on the subject. Although I certainly think That there are some generalizable correlations between mood weather, I also think that culture, experiential associations, and where one lifespan have an even moreprofound, direct, and varied impact onmoodwith respect to weather. Having lived in a universities of climates, from st. Petersburg to El Paso to Singapore, can say that how weather effected my Moody’s highly dependent on where I lived. For example, when lived in Russia, I craved the sun during the winter whereas when lived in sunny El Paso, I yearned for cloudy days if not rain. In Texas, the sun putme in a sour mood. It was an irritant. In Russia, the sun put me in a cheery mood.
This is very interesting, previously i lived in in a country like Philippines, which the weather was nice, all equal, 6months summer and rainy seasons.. but when i lived in south korea for almost 2 years, it happen to me 2 times in a year that i have a great changes in mood in my entire life.. like does not want talking to somebody and want’s to feel alone (this is different from homesick).. if i remember correctly, it was start of winter, and start of summer.. i became so emotional on many things during this time even though i don’t have any problems,.. even my wife ask if the weather affects (sometims upto 8PM the sun is still shining) my attitude towards life.. and i say i don’t know.., but after reading this article.. eventhough there are no proven facts, i can believe that it is true.. in Philippines, i never faced any kind of different mood changes i mentioned..
I live in Southern California and the humidity is killing me! Any suggestions to elevate my mood and energy levels? I’m only interested in foods or herbs…. any information would be greatly appreciated as I’m normally an up-beat, energetic person…..
Thanks for writing the article & for those that commented.
I live in FL (USA) & I am affected by sunlight & blue skies (or lack there of). No question about it, when there are several days in a row of cloudiness my mood dampens (anxious, down, agitated). When the sun is out it is almost instant relief (optimism, relief, energized). Summer storms don’t bother me when they pass through quickly & I love sun showers – but overcast days for days at a time – yuck!
I do wonder if it is what we tell ourselves about it (the meaning that we make of the situation) – like “what a crappy day”. I know thoughts affect feelings. I also know when it is overcast outside when I focus on how green and alive things are it helps a little.
It does still seem though that a lack of sun & blue skies does negatively affect me. Would love to see more research on this world wide that includes all ages, social economic statuses, races, genders, etc. as well as the different variables about weather.
Love this article…. I lived in SC for 14 years…. loved it! Moved to Indiana for work. I never hated a place so much in my life!!! I have never lived where the weather is so bi-polar!
After surviving this last winter… I am so out of here!!!! I was depressed, anxious all of the above. I cannot recall one day when I felt happy or at ease this winter….. what good is Sun unless you can be out in it???!!!
Finally an article that addresses this issue but I feel there’s more that needs to be studied going by what I experience.
A cold front is heading down here in Texas and I’ve been yawning, feeling sleepy and just out of it when I got up this morning after getting 7 hours sleep. This happens with every cold front and of course the humidity is sky high.
What hasn’t been mentioned but I suspect is part of the problem is how these cold fronts trigger allergies exacerbated by changes in humidity, barometric pressure and temperature but I can’t sort out which affects me the most. Right now mold counts are very high where I live and the high humidity just keeps it hanging in the air.
After it rains and the cold front passes and the sun comes out, I’m full of energy and alertness.
I find that I often feel depressed and anxious when the weather warms up just before a cold front passes. This just happened yesterday. I found my self very anxious and depressed with no apparent reason and realized as I went to bed that the weather was unusually warm and a front would be passing through overnight. Sure enough, I feel better this morning. This has happened to me a lot and I forget that the reason is usually the same…a cold front! Don’t know why, but it’s true.
Weather a far too general presumtion. Foeme it is the fact that humidity activates moulds and other bacteria in the home thus setting off allergic reactions.
This included asthma, rhinitis, excema type eruptions, psycosis and severe anxiety.
It took me 50 years to realise that it was not fitness that improved my health but reduced exposure to bacteria.
The absurdity of feeling near death every time I slept and being told I only had a cognitive problem that sent me down my own enlightenment path. The startling thing is that my anxiety was of bacterial cause, not just the inflamed airways! Reduced home humidity appears to be a 99.9% cure, at least on a count of 1 , that 1 being me.
So is this ‘weather’ thing just a bacteria level thing? I’m certain it has caused at least one death in my family so maybe there is a certain gene involved here. Alan
yesterday and today for no reason whatsoever i have been feeling very tearful, sad and gloomy. No its not my hormones although i am a 45 yr old woman. They have been perfectly in balance for years since my complete hysterectomy but it felt like a big dose of PMT, anger, moodiness, upset, sensitivity, tiredness, lethargy, sleepiness. All within 24 hour period. This was all very sudden and unexplained. i decided to be a hermit today. the story begun an hour ago very sudden and powerful. I also have a mild grade headache. Im the type of person who also cannot sleep for two days around the full moon. When i mean i cannot sleep i mean i cannot sleep. Nada! i don’t even need to look out of the window now to see if its full moon i just know.
More of a question than a comment.
If lower atmospheric pressure causes lower mood, does this mean people living at high elevation are in a permanently low mood? Or is it only rate of change of pressure which has this effect?
When the heat index is over 105,and you’re soaked in sweat,it is hard to feel productive and euthymic. Whoever did the study needs to experience the sub-tropics in the summer, and/or turn off the a/c. This weather ‘definitely’ affects my mood. Maybe I’m a subset or susceptible individual. If it was 60 degrees with low humidity I would feel better/different.
greetings,
I’m a psychology student and I’m interested about your topic sir. My problem is what kind of experimental designs I use since my country is Philippines?.
thank you sir,
I have been dealing with depression all my adult life. I have chosen to stay away from any drugs that would alter my thinking and behaviour in any way. I have actively journaled and tried to discern the causes of my personal struggles. This is what i have determined after 40+ years. Depression is a broad term and should be more pinpoint accurate to the causes of depression. Mine is not based on trauma or unhappiness. It could be hormonal but not based on the lack of sunshine. (That said, enjoying a sunny day with plenty of outside activity makes most of us very happy) But, when there is a drastic change in barometric pressure, I go down.
Most of the time i force myself to ignore the “feelings” and “stinking’ thinking'” and plow through my chores and responsibilities. This forces me out of my mental jail cell and breaks the ropes trying to hold be down. If i urge myself to concentrate on “otherness” I can rise above the “down”. Yes, it takes determination and vigilance…but it allows a happy fulfilled life instead of a narsistic lonely misery. My intense prayer life is the most important life-line. The physical and mental health is strongly linked with spiritual health. Amen!