The Weather’s Impact on Our Mental Health
In this county sunshine is way more common than the rain and snow, with this particularly cold, snowy, and rainy winter and spring it has started to make an even bigger impact than it would normally this time of year and a lot of us are eager to see the sunlight make its reappearance.
A lot of us have taken notice that with this weather has come the occasional gloomy feeling, being down in the dumps, and maybe a lack of excitement about daily life. It’s a feeling that’s hard to shake and can be caused by a range of factors. One of the most overlooked, yet influential, causes of this kind of low mood is the weather.
As the seasons change, so do our moods. Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a mood disorder that is most commonly triggered by shortened hours of daylight and changes in weather. People with SAD tend to become more lethargic, withdraw from social activities, and experience a decrease in motivation.
Sunlight has long been linked with improved mood and is essential for regulating our circadian rhythms. When the days become shorter and the sun is hidden behind clouds, our bodies produce more of the hormone melatonin, which makes us feel drowsy and can lead to reduced desire to get out of bed in the morning. Not only do we want to stay in bed but we have less inspiration to be social or be creative, this is where having alternatives for your rainy day than watching TV or scrolling on your phone may be beneficial.
The good news is that there are ways to combat the effects of weather on our mood. One option is to seek natural light exposure, especially when the days are shorter and the sun is hidden. Taking a walk in the mornings or afternoons, or even just sitting in a sunny spot, can help boost our mood and make us feel more energized and motivated.
Indoor Activities to Boost Your Mood
Moving your body: from simple stretches, yoga, and exercise can be done inside on a rainy day. Exercising regularly is beneficial for regulating our mood, especially during the colder months. Physical activity helps to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. This may be a more difficult task to be motivated to do when we are feeling down, so start small by standing up and walking from room to room when you notice you have been sitting for a while. It circulates blood flow and can help you get into a more proactive headspace simply from standing up and moving around.
Challenge your mind: doing a puzzle or reading a book can help to stimulate the mind and can give you something to focus on. Make yourself a cup of your favorite hot beverage and find a comfortable place to spend some time and get settled in a space that feels calm. Books keep the imagination flowing and activities like puzzles can provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfill some people’s desire to complete tasks or to have created something.
Listen to music: having music on can instantly change your environment, and when we spend a lot of time indoors, either at home or at work it can improve your mood or heighten focus depending on what you are listening to. Classical music and lofi have been known to make focus easier and reduce feelings of anxiety, while upbeat music can make you feel happy and make tasks around the house like cooking and cleaning more enjoyable.
With these few suggestions in mind, it is also important to stay connected with friends and family in order to help to boost our moods, especially if we’re feeling down due to the weather. Meeting up for a coffee, a walk in the park, or just a chat on the phone can really lift our spirits and make us feel more positive. The activities listed above are also fun activities to do with someone else, sharing interest is a great way to grow connection to those around us and can also lift us up.
So, the next time you’re feeling a bit low, don’t forget to take into consideration the influence of the weather. The days may be grey, but that doesn’t mean you have to be too. If you feel you have been impacted by this cold and darker weather, maybe it has made you more reflective about how you are feeling most of the time, you may consider reaching out to talk with someone. Struggles in life, big or small, are worth talking about and our Redding therapists are here to listen.
Healing begins with hope, explore our counseling services and start your journey today.