Are you in a bad mood that you are blaming on waking up on the wrong side of the bed, a rough morning, or a bad interaction with a colleague? You may be pointing your finger at the wrong thing. Winter has reared its head early this year- Did you know that it could be the season that has you down? Many weather factors including sunlight, temperature, and rain can impact your mood either by directly affecting your hormones or by causing secondary issues that can bring your mood down.
Exposure to sunlight produces a hormone called serotonin (nicknamed the “feel good” hormone). Therefore, when there is a lack of sunlight, such as in the shorter days of winter, consistent cloud cover, or for people working the night shift, less serotonin is produced and could result in a lower mood. This can be combated with the use of a daylight lamp that mimics sunlight.
As most of us Iowans can agree, temperature also influences our mood. This cause has a secondary impact as it does not directly affect hormones, but our body’s energy usage. In cold weather (which no longer seems to be restricted to winter), our bodies need to keep warm. Energy is used to accomplish this with increasing heart rates. Spending energy here means less energy for other activities. This can also explain those extra few pounds some of us tend to put on during pre-bathing suit season as we may eat more to keep up with the output of this energy. The flip-side of the coin is that our body still needs energy to digest the food, so this may cause further lethargy (and just when I thought I had a good excuse for that second piece of pie!) Instead, it is important to eat minerals and vitamins that help boost our immune systems, get plenty of sleep, and keep warm. Not only does this help our bodies as they work harder in the cold, but also to keep us well as flu and colds are more common this time of year because our immune system is already working hard.
Rain is another mood impactor that affects us because it may cause a decrease in our social lives. Some of us tend to bunker down when that weather comes in instead of trekking out to meet friends or attend events. Aside from sunlight, socializing has a big impact and works as a type of anti-depressant for our weather caused low moods and lethargy.
The issues discussed above are normal for people who must suffer the perils of cold winters, but more serious is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a depression brought on by the changing of seasons. Most commonly, it appears in late fall and continues throughout the winter causing moodiness and low energy. SAD is different from the other problems discussed because its symptoms are so severe that it impacts the daily lives of those who suffer from it. Additional symptoms of SAD include a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed, sleeping problems, changes in appetite and/or weight, agitation, sluggishness, problems with concentration, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt, and/or thoughts of suicide or death. We all have days where we feel down, but if these feelings persist for days at a time, and you do not have the motivation to do activities you enjoy, it is time to see your doctor.
Is all hope for good moods and positivity lost for a whole season (or possibly two seasons as we are seeing now)? Not to fear! Weather such as rain, wind, sunlight, and temperature may only have a negative impact on bad mood. If you are already in a good mood, these factors may not be able to bring you down. Additionally, when it is possible, being outside and being physically active is found to increase well-being and lower stress levels. Take care of yourself, be mindful of your mood, and don’t be afraid to seek help when needed.
Heart and Solutions is available to help anyone (adults and children) suffering from depression or SAD. Our team of therapists and behavioral health intervention service (BHIS) providers will work with you to develop coping skills and help relieve the symptoms of these disorders so that you can persevere and thrive.
References
Gregorie, C. (2014, Jan. 14). The surprising ways the weather affects your health and well-being. Huffington Post. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/14/climate-health_n_4568505.html
Loewen, S.C. (2008, Nov.). Effects of weather on human emotions. Retrieved from http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/15843/1/Effects-of-Weather-on-Human-Emotions.html
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651
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