A rainy day can mean many different things to different people. For some we can curl up in a nice big sweatshirt, with our favorite movie, a snack, and warm drink. But why is it that when the weather is bad out, we dread getting out of bed and getting to work? I myself have problems with this. Even the rainy days that I am able to get myself out of bed, I often find myself having trouble giving my work my all and getting done what I need to. I decided to research this problems, cause I am 100% sure I will be having plenty of these this semester. I did some research from Rainy Days , and found many interesting points that can lead to a lack of motivation.
Darkness
For some it can cause a decline in mood due to the decrease in sunlight the body absorbs as a result of the cloud cover. I came across an interesting article that said that we associate darkness with sleep. It is no surprise that the rain causes darkness and as a result we become unmotivated. This also somewhat ties into my next idea of seasonal depression. These people suffer due to the darkness outside. Not only can darkness be harmful to these people, but in general it can be spooky and unpleasant to everyone which is what causes the lack of motivation. It is interesting how our are brains are wired to think this way psychologically when the weather is bad.
Depression
Like I said, many people suffer from seasonal depression. I found from Seasonal Affective Disorder that t
Photo from, Interpretation of Dreams
his means that around certain seasons they can become depressed for many reasons one being the lack of sunlight during the winter, or colder months. Many people would just think they are feeling gloomy on a rainy day, but seasonal depression is an actual psychological disorder that effects many. It is important to take note of this because it not only effects your motivation but also everyday aspects of your life.
Soothing
When trying to get a baby to fall asleep we usually sing them a lullaby. People are soothed by certain sounds. For many, they are calmed by the sounds of rain. This results in spending lots of time relaxing, sleeping in bed and watching movies. For example, many people use sound machines or sound apps to help them fall asleep. It is almost guaranteed that on one of these machines or apps people can find a sound called something along the lines of “rain falling” or “thunderstorms”. It is proven that rain will make someone sleepy and decrease their willingness to do something.
Picture from, Laying in Bed .
This semester when I am faced with many rainy days I will be sure to push myself to get out of bed and be productive because I know that the rain can lead to lack of motivation. This can include heading to the gym, going to the library and not deciding to sleep through class. It is very important that college students especially keep track of how they are feeling during these upcoming months in the fall and winter to realize if they are suffering from seasonal depression.
I agree very much with the “darkness” aspect of rainy days. Not only does the darkness cause me to feel moody and weird, but I also feel an overwhelming sense of fatigue every time it rains or storms. This definitely stems from the lack of sunlight. Personally, no sun=no physical activity. To me, the research provided makes total sense.
I was just talking to a friend a couple of day ago about this topic. I’ve always heard that in the winter season people are sad and depressed for the most part but didn’t know what was the exact reason for it. I wasn’t aware that our bodies become lazier when it is raining; but I must say that the rain definitely is soothing for me it makes me want to relax.
Hi Lauren! This post is very interesting. I actually have a friend who has been diagnosed with seasonal depression, otherwise known as seasonal affective disorder. This illness is very serious. My friend undergoes several mood changes and has frequent anxiety attacks, all against her will. My friend decided to seek help and now attends counseling. Here is a link that discusses different treatment options for this disorder.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/treatment/ways-to-ease-seasonal-depression/#05
Hi Lauren! This post is very interesting. I actually have a friend who has been diagnosed with seasonal depression, otherwise known as seasonal affective disorder. This illness is very serious. My friend undergoes several mood changes and has frequent anxiety attack, all against her will. My friend decided to seek help and now attends counseling. Here is a link that discusses different treatment options for this disorder.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/treatment/ways-to-ease-seasonal-depression/#05
I feel like so many people could relate to this article because rain just makes you not want to get out of bed at all. Well for me it does not work that way but that is not the point. It make sense that when its dark outside people just want to stay in bed all day. It’s okay sometimes to stay in and relax while listening to the rain . It should not become a habit though. I agree that we need to motivate ourselves to get up and face the day no matter what the weather is outside.
I too am soothed by the rain. I almost see rain as an excuse to allow myself to rest and relax. I wonder if there is a biological reason for why some people feel relaxed when they listen to rain. Is it the soft background noise?
I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned how the lack of sun has an effect on the individual’s mood. The sun in a way embodies joy and happiness. The sun is associated with words like warmth, light and others words that imply comfort or safety. When there is less sun it makes sense that people would not be as happy. I myself am one of those people. Though I do not have Seasonal Affective Disorder, I certainly feel happier in the summer. But maybe that’s because there is no school. Nevertheless it certainly makes me happy waking up to the sun shining through my window or feeling its warmth on me. It is not only a physical stimulant but a mental one as well. Below is a link about how important the sun is to us and our earth.
http://history.nasa.gov/EP-177/ch3-1.html