![]() ![]() ![]() The most well-known example is winter SAD or the "winter blues" - a depressive mood felt only during the shorter days of the winter. Take, for instance, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is defined as having significant mood changes related to the changing seasons. There's precedent for the theory that each of us is affected by the weather differently. What may be becoming more clear, however, is that how weather affects mood likely varies significantly from person to person. Mood itself is very complex, and many, many factors affect and contribute to it. Taken together, it's unclear if weather truly affects moodĪll in all, there's simply more we need to learn before we can claim a connection between mood and the weather. The study did find, however, that sunlight, wind and temperature could affect negative moods, like tiredness - although the impact was very minor.Īdditionally, it's important to note that while the previously mentioned 2005 study did suggest a link between time spent outdoors in pleasant weather and improved mood, the impact wasn't consistently significant. Explained another way, more sunlight and better temperatures didn't make a happy person happier. While some of the science concludes that there is a link between weather and mood, not every study finds a clear connection.įor instance, a 2008 study found that weather had essentially no effect on positive mood. But there's also evidence to suggest otherwise The study concluded that spring was linked to improved mood since people had been deprived of pleasant weather all winter, and that hotter weather was linked to lower mood in the summer. In particular, it showed that high humidity lowered concentration and increased sleepiness - something many Houstonians can likely relate to.Īdditionally, a 2005 study found that spending more time outdoors in pleasant weather is associated with higher mood and better memory. The study found that the amount of sunshine, temperature and humidity had the greatest effect on mood. The case for a link between the two began to emerge in the late '70s and early '80s.įor example, a 1984 study looking at a variety of mood variables (from anxiety and depression to optimism and aggression) in the context of several weather variables: In terms of the science behind whether the weather might affect your mood, 's debatable. So what's the deal? Can weather actually affect your mood, or is it just a figment of your imagination? The link between weather and mood is murky Less-than-pleasant weather that drags on (and on and on) can complicate outdoor plans, make traffic miserable and, honestly, feel like it's starting to affect your overall well-being. Prolonged heat and humidity can take a toll on you, as can endless days of rain and the bitter cold during the winter months. Other times, the weather can be.frustrating. A change in the weather can be a nice change of pace at times - or even greatly needed in some cases, such as rain during a drought. ![]()
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