weather affects mood essay

Here comes the sun: how the weather affects our mood

Professor of Psychology, The University of Melbourne

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Nick Haslam does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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The weather supplies many metaphors for our changeable minds. Moods can brighten and darken, dispositions can be sunny, futures can be under a cloud and relationships can be stormy. Like the weather, our emotions sometimes seem like fickle forces of nature: unstable, enveloping and uncontrollable.

Weather provides a vivid language for describing our emotional atmosphere, but does it also influence it? Do grey days bring grey moods? When the mercury rises, does our blood boil ?

Of the many aspects of weather, sunshine is the most intimately tied to mood. Although the link is weaker than many people imagine, sunlight has repeatedly been found to boost positive moods, dampen negative moods and diminish tiredness.

Anything that alters our moods can affect our behaviour. Happy people are more favourably disposed to one another, and accordingly people are more helpful when the sun is out. One study found that Minnesotan diners tipped more generously on sunny days. Investors may benefit in the same way as waitresses; American studies have observed better daily stock returns in sunny weather.

The sun may melt hearts as well. In a 2013 study by French psychologist Nicolas Guéguen, an attractive male confederate approached unaccompanied young women and solicited their phone numbers. “I just want to say that I think you’re really pretty”, he cooed. “I’ll phone you later and we can have a drink together someplace”. “Antoine” achieved an impressive success rate of 22% on sunny days but only 14% when it was cloudy.

Guéguen’s finding of sun-assisted flirtation followed up his earlier studies on the effects of exposure to flowers (2011) and pastry aromas (2012) in priming women for seduction. Can we expect future studies on chocolate (2014) and puppies (2015)? Rarely have psychologists lived up to national stereotypes so well: the Americans study money, the French study romance.

And the Australians study shopping. Research by Sydney’s Joseph Forgas shows that sunshine can also affect our mental sharpness. Shoppers exiting a boutique were quizzed about ten unusual objects – including a toy tractor and a pink piggy-bank – that had been placed in the check-out area. They correctly recalled seven times as many objects on cloudy days as on sunny ones.

This effect accords with other findings that negative moods induce careful and systematic cognition. Grey weather may similarly induce sober, grey-flannelled thinking. In a paper titled “ Clouds make nerds look good ”, Uri Simonsohn showed that university admissions officers weighted the academic credentials of applicants more on overcast days, and their non-academic attributes more on sunny ones.

Temperature can also affect our mind and behaviour, independently of sunshine. The more it departs from an ideal of around 20°C the more discomfort we feel. One study found that rates of helping declined as temperatures dropped below or rose above this value.

In addition, the higher the temperature, the more people are likely to act aggressively . Rates of aggression are higher in hotter years, months, days and times of day, a pattern observable for murders, riots and car-horn honking. Baseball pitchers are more likely to hit batters on hot days, an effect that isn’t merely a result of having sweat-slick fingers.

Heat may also increase verbal aggression. A recent study of news media coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympics found that stories filed by American journalists contained more negative words on hotter days, even when they were writing about China in general rather than the Games in particular.

Aspects of weather beyond heat and sunshine have also been shown to affect mood. Humidity tends to make people more tired and irritable. Barometric pressure fluctuations can alter moods and trigger headaches, some studies finding a link between low pressure and suicide. On rainy days people report lower satisfaction with their lives.

Weather influences our psychology in myriad subtle ways. Why this might be the case is not entirely obvious. One possibility is that the effects of weather on mood are primarily physiological. Excess heat causes discomfort by taxing our capacity to thermoregulate, and this causes irritability and aggression.

Exposing skin to sunlight produces vitamin D, promoting the brain’s production of serotonin, which lifts mood. Exposure to bright lights, a treatment for people affected with the Winter depressions of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also enhances the mood of unaffected people.

However, the effects of weather on mood are not straightforwardly biological. They are also psychological and social. One reason why heat is associated with aggression is that people interact more in public in hot weather.

Indeed, the effects of weather on mood depend on our behaviour and on how we think. Most basically, weather will only influence us if we expose ourselves to it. On one estimate, people in industrialised societies tend to spend only 7% of their time outside.

A study by US psychology researcher Matthew Keller and colleagues showed that beneficial effects of warm and sunny conditions on mood were only seen in people who had spent more than 30 minutes outdoors that day. Good weather even had negative effects on mood for people confined indoors, who perhaps gazed enviously outside at the solar fun they were missing.

It is hard to argue with Dr Keller’s prescription: “If you wish to reap the psychological benefits of good springtime weather, go outside.”

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How Weather Changes Can Affect Your Mental Health

Camilo Fuentes Beals / EyeEm / Getty Images

Effects of Cold Temperatures on Mental Health

How do nordic countries combat sad, effects of warm temperatures on mental health, impact of extreme weather events, how to cope with weather and climate change.

A variety of factors influence your mental health including weather. While you can’t control the weather, you can learn about how weather and climate might affect you. You can also gain knowledge on how to cope with its negative effects on your mental well-being.

Changes in the seasons can affect our moods. For example, we might associate summer with family vacations and trips to the beach. We therefore have positive expectations when the season arrives. The danger is we might fall into the expectation vs reality trap .

When we meet with bad weather or obstacles such as lack of money to travel, we can become stressed . The reality doesn’t match up with what we had anticipated. Seasonal changes impact our moods and behaviors in complex ways.

While the weather certainly does affect us, it’s good to look at the science about how it influences us so we know how to prepare for these conditions.

While you might associate cold temperatures with dangerous physical conditions like frostbite and hypothermia, colder temperatures make it easier on our mental health.

A recent study called “Temperature and mental health: Evidence from the spectrum of mental health outcomes" determined that colder temperatures reduced negative mental health outcomes while hotter temperatures increased them. Higher temperatures, for example, was associated with an increase in emergency room visits for mental illness and also increased suicides.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

You might have suffered from or know a friend who, every year, gets Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) , formerly known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. This is a form of depression that generally begins when the fall season starts and light diminishes. SAD worsens in the winter and occurs again the same time annually.

It’s important to note that SAD is due to lack of sunlight and the days getting shorter. While it occurs during fall and winter seasons, it’s not due to the cold temperatures.

According to The Cleveland Clinic, about 75% of those who get seasonal affective disorder are women. SAD begins early on, too, usually during young adulthood. It throws off your sleep and darkens your moods. The milder version is known as simply “the winter blues.”

While feeling cooped up at having to be indoors or down because your activities are now curtailed, SAD is a real thing. Although the exact cause is unknown, there are several biological factors that are thought to contribute to it including disruption to our circadian rhythm, overproduction of melatonin , lack of serotonin (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter) and not enough vitamin D.

The good news is treatments are readily available. They include light therapy , vitamin D supplements, change in lifestyle habits and antidepressants.

We can also learn from Scandinavian countries , often ranked as the happiest countries in the world. In addition to conventional treatment, those from Norway keep SAD at bay through long dark winters by having a positive mindset. Their cultural philosophy is to accept and celebrate winter.

They use this period as a time to get cozy and rest. And they also remain active in nature. Those living in the Nordic nations stay content and grateful . This mindset becomes valuable as darkness prevails.

Weather affects our moods, temperaments, depression and outlook. It can also affect people’s personalities. While mildly warm temperatures might be pleasant, soaring hot temperatures can cause people to become aggressive.

Aggression and Violence

If someone in your family is more prone to losing their temper during terribly hot days, there’s science behind that.

According to research published in an article in The Association for Psychological Science , people are more likely to become irritable and behave aggressively, or event violently, when exposed to excessive heat. In fact, even controlling for factors like age, race and poverty, those cities in warmer regions tend to experience more violent crime than in those located in cooler regions.

One study was conducted to analyze the link between weather and daily shootings in Chicago from 2012 to 2016. Researchers found a definite correlation between crime and higher temperatures.

Shootings were more likely to occur on warm days, especially during weekends and holidays, while people were outside. When temperatures rose 10 degrees higher than average, researchers found a 33.8% higher rate of shootings.

Everyday weather, be it rain, snow or abundant sunshine, directly affects our lives. Extreme weather in the form of tornadoes, massive flooding or hurricanes, for example, also directly has an influence on us. But we must remember to pay attention to the indirect effects, too.

People Are Concerned About Climate Change

Scientists have recently discovered the indirect consequences from extreme weather and changes in the climate. Children and those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions can be more at risk after being exposed to news about climate change or disasters.

In a 2018 study, scientists found that Australian children were very concerned about climate change. They are also at risk of psychological harm after even indirect exposure. The negative impact on mental health included PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, sleep disorders, attachment disorders , and substance abuse.

In another study, which was the first large-scale investigation of its kind on climate anxiety in children and young people globally, scientists also found a negative impact of indirect exposure.

This study surveyed 10,000 children and young people in ten countries. Participants were 16 to 25 years old. About 59% were very or extremely worried while 84% were moderately worried about climate change. More than half reported feeling sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty.

Almost half of respondents reported these feelings about climate change negatively impacted their functioning and daily life. Additionally, 75% said that they think the future is frightening.

As people grapple with the impact of extreme weather and climate change on mental health, a new word has come into our lexicon: “eco-anxiety.” This chronic fear of environmental doom or catastrophe can especially affect those who are already vulnerable, as exemplified by the two studies on children and young people.

We must remind ourselves that people often come together after environmental crises to help each other. This has been demonstrated after wildfires, hurricanes and tornadoes in the United States and across the world.

Another thing to remember is that a groundswell of support has developed for slowing down and stopping climate change and thus decreasing the incidents of extreme weather.

Ways to Cope With Weather Changes

Here are specific ways to cope with worry, anxiety , and fear about the impact of extreme weather and climate change:

• Take action by volunteering for a local organization
• Reach out to others by getting involved in environmental or political groups
• Attend a climate cafe . Modeled after death cafes, these are safe spaces to talk about your fears. (More information can be found here .)
• Contact the nonprofit Good Grief Network to help you transform your anxiety into meaningful action
• Informally connect with like-minded people
• View problems in perspective
• Cultivate a habit of positive thinking
• Practice nature therapy
• Immerse yourself in forest bathing
• Begin mindful meditation
• Foster your own sense of resilience
• Seek out the help of a mental health counselor or therapist

Mullins JT, White C. Temperature and mental health: Evidence from the spectrum of mental health outcomes .  J Health Econ . 2019;68:102240. doi:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2019.102240

Cleveland Clinic. Seasonal Depression .

The World Happiness Report. The Nordic Exceptionalism: What Explains Why the Nordic Countries Are Constantly Among the Happiest in the World .

The Association for Psychological Science. Global Warming and Violent Behavior .

Reeping PM, Hemenway D. The association between weather and the number of daily shootings in Chicago (2012-2016) .  Inj Epidemiol . 2020;7(1):31. Published 2020 Jun 22. doi:10.1186/s40621-020-00260-3

Burke SEL, Sanson AV, Van Hoorn J. The Psychological Effects of Climate Change on Children .  Curr Psychiatry Rep . 2018;20(5):35. Published 2018 Apr 11. doi:10.1007/s11920-018-0896-9

Hickman C, Marks E, Pihkala P, et al. Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey .  Lancet Planet Health . 2021;5(12):e863-e873. doi:10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00278-3

By Barbara Field Barbara is a writer and speaker who is passionate about mental health, overall wellness, and women's issues.

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

Short winter days can influence your brain chemistry.

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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 .

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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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Can Weather Affect Your Mood?

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. Other times, the weather can be...frustrating. Prolonged heat and humidity can take a toll on you, as can endless days of rain and the bitter cold during the winter months.

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. 

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

In terms of the science behind whether the weather might affect your mood, well...it's debatable. The research is limited, and it varies.

There's evidence to suggest a connection

The case for a link between the two began to emerge in the late '70s and early '80s.

For 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:

• Amount of sunshine
• Precipitation
• Temperature
• Barometric pressure

The study found that the amount of sunshine, temperature and humidity had the greatest effect on mood. In particular, it showed that high humidity lowered concentration and increased sleepiness — something many Houstonians can likely relate to.

Additionally, a 2005 study found that spending more time outdoors in pleasant weather is associated with higher mood and better memory. 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.

But there's also evidence to suggest otherwise

While some of the science concludes that there is a link between weather and mood, not every study finds a clear connection.

For instance, a 2008 study found that weather had essentially no effect on positive mood. Explained another way, more sunlight and better temperatures didn't make a happy person happier. The study did find, however, that sunlight, wind and temperature could affect negative moods, like tiredness — although the impact was very minor.

Additionally, 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. In fact, the effect was very modest.

Taken together, it's unclear if weather truly affects mood

All in all, there's simply more we need to learn before we can claim a connection between mood and the weather.

Mood itself is very complex, and many, many factors affect and contribute to it.

What may be becoming more clear, however, is that how weather affects mood likely varies significantly from person to person.

Do we each have a weather type?

There's precedent for the theory that each of us is affected by the weather differently.

Take, for instance, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is defined as having significant mood changes related to the changing seasons. The most well-known example is winter SAD or the "winter blues" — a depressive mood felt only during the shorter days of the winter.

With only about 6% of the population diagnosed with SAD, it's a relatively rare mood disorder. However, the National Institute of Mental Health speculates that this disorder is actually much more common, especially its milder forms.

And a 2011 study suggests that weather may indeed affect mood — for some.

Similar to other studies, the overall association between weather and mood was barely, if at all, significant. However, the researchers noticed that while half of the individuals in the study weren't affected by the weather, the other half were significantly affected by it.

Taking these different subpopulations into account, the study identified four weather reactivity types:

• Those unaffected by weather – mood is unrelated to weather
• Summer lovers – mood improves on warm, sunny days
• Summer haters – mood improves on cool, cloudy days
• Rain haters – particularly bothered by rain

This suggests that some individuals are fairly resilient to the weather, while others are sensitive to it. Further still, those who are reactive to the weather can be affected by the various weather patterns differently.

Why Weather Affects Mood

Weather extremes are demotivating short term, but that's not the whole story..

Posted April 23, 2020 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

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Even as many of us are trapped indoors due to the pandemic, our moods rise on bright days and plumb the depths after days of rain. Such transitory mood swings are not well understood but animal behavior offers useful insights.

Adaptive Inactivity

Low moods are demotivating. We feel lethargic, or tired, and are less likely to exert ourselves in new, or productive, activities. While we may feel listless, dispirited, and unhappy, this could boost the biological currencies of survival and reproduction.

We wake up when it gets bright in the morning so that our activities follow a rough circadian rhythm , as do internal physiological systems from digestion to immune function. For example, we eat less often in the nighttime because insulin production slows and less sugar is withdrawn from the bloodstream, which blunts hunger.

Knowledge about the restorative value of sleep is expanding by leaps and bounds, from its effects on immune function to memory and flushing the brain of impurities (1). Feeling tired encourages us to lie down and sleep each night.

The same sort of circadian rhythm is manifested in most other vertebrates although some, like owls, become active at night. Cycles of rest and activity are surprisingly flexible and shift workers are forced to reverse the usual pattern that can impose health costs. Similarly, species that are normally diurnal can shift to becoming nocturnal due to human influence, as is true of coyotes, boars, elephants, and tigers, who avoid unwanted human attention by becoming active at night.

There are strong seasonal patterns for some species that rest more in winter. Some go to the extreme of hibernating when they sleep in a warm den through much of the cold season. In spring, longer days rouse hibernators from their slumber and motivate some species to embark on their seasonal migration.

Light and Reproduction

These effects are illustrated by the way that day length alters the hormonal status of seasonal breeders like birds. With increased day length, migratory species become increasingly restless and head off in the direction of their seasonal migration.

In spring, as day length increases, male birds experience a surge in testosterone , fight over territories, and defend them with the territorial song. Singing is itself related to testosterone because song controlling structures of the brain wax and wane with the breeding system.

Humans are not seasonal breeders but our brains also have complex responses to day length. These are highlighted by the phenomenon of wintertime depression or seasonal affective disorder, that occurs in highly seasonal places distant from the equator where day length in winter is very short and triggers severe depression in vulnerable individuals.

Although we are not a seasonal species, our reproductive systems are affected by the length of days. Men have an annual cycle in circulating testosterone that peaks in autumn.

The Seasonal Shift

Most of us tolerate the short days of winter, although being confined at home due to extreme cold interferes with our customary activities and thereby lowers mood.

When temperatures warm up in summer, we spend more time outdoors and are more physically active whether this involves sports activities, exercise, or outdoor hobbies like gardening. Most people prefer milder temperatures and express greater feelings of optimism and joy.

One side effect of being outdoors longer is that violent crime rates go up. The fact that most civil unrest occurs in midsummer used to be attributed to extreme heat increasing irritability and aggression but there is no evidence of this. If anything, extreme heat makes us unwilling to move around, much less attack anyone.

The demotivating effect of extreme summer heat is similar to that of extreme winter cold. Both are stressful tending to increase anxiety and lower mood.

Stress and Precautionary Behavior

Extreme winter cold and extreme summer heat crimp everyday activities in similar ways. In cold climates, there is a temptation to stay indoors more and to get less exercise. When a person does brave the elements, they must spend time putting on extra winter gear that has to be removed on their return.

This is a time-consuming annoyance that we do not have when the weather is mild.

When the weather is hot, we have the trouble of putting on protective cream to prevent sunburn and wearing sun hats. Humid conditions are highly uncomfortable and demotivating. This means that we spend more time in air-conditioned buildings and vehicles and spend less time outdoors.

Whether hot or cold extreme conditions can be highly unpleasant and demotivating. We must also spend a lot of money to control the environment in our homes. All of these aspects of extreme weather make them potentially stressful, anxiety-provoking, and depressing.

Despite this, there is surprisingly little evidence that climate has any reliable impact on mood or mental health. There is a very simple explanation for this which is that we are good at adapting to the particular conditions in which we find ourselves.

Residents of Minnesota are accustomed to long, hard winters and many enjoy spending time outside pursuing winter activities such as skating and ice fishing. They are accustomed to the extreme cold and take it in their stride. There is also some physiological adaptation with greater bodily heat production after prolonged cold exposure.

So we encounter a strange paradox in which harsh weather is ostensibly stressful but has little obvious impact on mood because we are good at adapting to varied environmental conditions. This trait may be what allowed our ancestors to occupy Europe and Eurasia when they were in the grip of an ice age.

1 Walker, M. (2017). Why we sleep: The new science of sleep and dreams. New York: Penguin/Random House.

Nigel Barber, Ph.D., is an evolutionary psychologist as well as the author of Why Parents Matter and The Science of Romance , among other books.

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How the weather affects our mood — and our health

Topic: Weather

Fine weather may indeed give you a sunny disposition. ( Getty: Tim Robberts )

Looking ahead at the weekly forecast, there's a possible chance of the weather producing a sense of joy in some people, or an all-time low in others.

The weather can influence our mood and behaviour — and whether it's for better or worse can also depend on where you live.

Some communities in Australia, like those affected by a crippling drought , welcome the chance of rain, whereas people in metropolitan areas might prefer to leave the umbrellas at home.

Nicholas Haslam, a professor of psychology at the University of Melbourne, has been looking into the links between weather, mood and behaviour.

He's gathered research on various climates around the globe, and says the weather's impact on us can sometimes be very subtle.

"I think there's a lot of work showing temperature and sun make all sorts of differences on our mood and on our behaviour," he says.

"You do find on sunny days that people are more benevolent to others.

"There's been studies showing that people tip better; there's been some suggestions that stock market returns are better on sunny days.

"There's even interesting counterintuitive findings showing people think better or more clearly on days when the weather's a bit more cloudy."

Researchers have also discovered a link between the weather and its influence on your chances of getting a date.

"There is a French researcher who has made a career out of how to best ask women on dates," Professor Haslam says.

"He did one study where he had a confederate — Antoine — who would at some seaside resort sidle up to women and coo in their ears to see if they would like to go out for a drink.

"Antoine's success rate was substantially higher on sunny days. This is showing that perhaps Antoine is more desirable on sunny days or that the women he was approaching were a bit more receptive. We can't tell. We would have to do further studies."

Extreme heat and your health

The sun has a positive effect on your mood at times, but unfortunately, it's not always the case.

Susie Burke, a senior psychologist at the Australian Psychological Society, has researched the impact of extreme weather events and long-term climate change on the mental wellbeing of people around the world.

An obvious example at the moment is the long-lasting drought, currently affecting 98 per cent of NSW and 57 per cent of Queensland.

NSW and Queensland are currently experiencing a crippling drought ( ABC News: Jordan Hayne )

"Drought is one of the best-researched extreme weather events in terms of its impact on people," Dr Burke says.

"We tend to refer to drought as having an indirect effect on people's mental health, because ... the associated economic stresses and strains ... are the main pathway for people experiencing ongoing depression and anxiety [or] family stress."

That can have a ripple effect, leading to a decrease in community cohesion.

More generally, Dr Burke says researchers have noticed an increase in hospitalisations for a range of mood and behavioural disorders during times of extreme heat and humidity.

"That can be mood disorders like depression and mania; there's also an increase in hospitalisation for schizophrenia, dementia, delusional disorders, and a range of anxiety and PSTD," she says.

It seems to be that people who are most at risk are people who have problems with thermoregulation.

Thermoregulation is what helps the body maintain its core temperature and keep it within certain boundaries.

When an individual has complications with their thermoregulation, it puts them at a high risk of overheating and becoming unwell.

"That can often be because they're taking some medication that impairs their capacity to be able to sweat, or it has restricted the blood moving the heat to their skin to enable them to cool down," Dr Burke says.

"So sometimes it can be the disorder, and sometimes it can be the medication."

People with substance abuse issues are also at more risk of becoming unwell in increased temperatures.

"Alcohol is a diuretic and that impairs the body's capacity to be able to cool itself down, so there's an increase in hospitalisation for people with substance use disorders as well as the other mood and behavioural problems," Dr Burke says.

Increased heat has also been linked to higher levels of violence, aggression, domestic violence, rape and civil unrest, she says.

"All those things are associated with high temperatures, and researchers have done some good work noting those links," she says.

Dr Burke says researchers have noted that we underestimate the importance of a stable climate on our wellbeing.

"One of the things with climate change is that a greater instability with weather can have profound health and psychological impacts on people," she says.

And if you're dealing with weather that's impacting on your life in a negative way, Professor Haslam has this advice: "If you wait around, it'll change."

Life Matters has been examining how weather and climate can influence our decisions, change our cities and fuel our imagination. Catch the full five-part series here .

Home / Essay Samples / Sociology / Weather / Analysis of the Effect of Weather Conditions on People’s Mood

Analysis of the Effect of Weather Conditions on People’s Mood

• Category: Environment , Sociology
• Topic: Climate Change , Natural Environment , Weather

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