After a solid nights sleep last night, I woke up this morning feeling great. I was ready to seize the day and get a ton of work done. I carried out my morning routine of showering, brushing my teeth, and getting dressed. I went downstairs made some breakfast and proceeded to walk out my back door. As I walked outside I was immediately greeted by a cold breeze. I turned around and went back upstairs to grab a sweatshirt. When I went back outside I couldn’t help but realize my mood had suddenly changed. I don’t know how to put the feeling I was experiencing into words, but I just felt different. I didn’t have that positive mindset I previously had when I rolled out of bed. Throughout the day I kept wondering why my mood changed in a split second. On my walk back to my house it started to rain. As the rain started to soak my clothes my mood became even worse. That was the exact moment when I started to wonder if the weather was the cause for my mood changes. So many questions started to flood my brain. If the sun was shining when I originally left my house would I still be in a good mood? If it was snowing would I be excited to experience the first snowfall of the year? These questions led me to research the topic and paved the way for my next blog post.

I decided to first look into whether hot or cold temperatures can affect an individuals mood. I found that higher temperatures can bring a depressed person up. J.J. Denissen, a scientist who conducted research relating to the effects of weather on a persons daily mood, “found that weather’s daily influence has more of an impact on a person’s negative mood, rather than helping one’s positive mood. Higher temperatures raise a person with a low mood up, while things like wind or not enough sun made a low person feel even lower.” I found this interesting but after researching the topic more thoroughly I found that there are other studies that contradict Denissen’s findings. Scientist SM Hsiang found a link between human aggression and higher temperatures. If Denissen concluded that higher temperatures can brighten someone’s mood, then how could Hsiang conclude that higher temperatures can bring out the worst in people. “As temperatures rose, Hsiang noted that intergroup conflicts also tended to jump — by 14 percent (a significant increase). The scientists also found interpersonal violence rose by 4 percent.” There must be a third variable that is altering these behaviors. There could be other factors influencing how an individuals mood changes due to weather. It could be due to the fact that everyone has different opinions on what weather they like. Or maybe the third variable could have to due with an individuals specific agenda for that day. For example, if a person has a baseball game and it is raining, their mood could worsen since the game might be canceled. Or maybe a person just planted flowers and is depending on rainfall to help their plants grow and receive the nutrients they need. In that case the person could be happy if it starts to rain.

While researching this phenomenon, I came across a very interesting disorder that is related to weather. This specific disorder is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). “Seasonal affective disorder is a very real kind of depressive disorder (technically referred to as a depressive disorder with seasonal pattern) wherein a person’s major depressive episode is connected to a specific season.” SAD typically begins and ends at the same time every year. The majority of people who suffer from SAD generally experience the symptoms at the start of fall.

Since researchers have proven that weather can affect a person’s mood, I decided to research ways for people to not allow weather to impact your mood. One way you can avoid weather affecting your mood is to simply change your plans for the day. If it is raining you can stay inside and watch a movie. Unexpectedly warm day? Take advantage of that and go for a hike or go to the beach.

Learning that weather can change a persons mood has led me to wonder if anyone in this class experiences this phenomenon. Do you personally feel as though your mood depends on the weather? Do you have any personal strategies that can eliminate the affects of weather on your mood?

SITES:

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/08/29/can-weather-affect-your-mood/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/14/climate-health_n_4568505.html

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/basics/definition/CON-20021047