Effects of weather on Mental Health

Effects of weather on Mental Health

The weather can influence your mental health in a surprising number of ways. 

Energy

Your body’s normal response to cold weather is to go into “hibernate mode”, which typically means you’ll have less energy during the winter months.  

Conversely, summer temperatures will give most people an energy boost and an improved mood, up to a certain point. If the weather becomes too hot, you may grow tired and irritable in an effort to escape the heat.

Sunlight also affects your energy levels. Light is telling your brain to stay awake, whilst darkness will tell you it’s time to rest. Consequently, long sunny days can energise you, but short or cloudy days can have a negative impact as there is less light to encourage you to stay awake. 

Stress

The body is surprisingly sensitive to a drop in atmospheric pressure. It can activate what is known as the superior vestibular nucleus (SVN), a part of your brain that controls balance and perception. 

Studies suggest the SVN will trigger your bodies stress system, making you feel on edge when there is a significant change in pressure, eg just before a storm.

High temperatures can also increase stress levels. Commonly, people tend to be more irritable, or even aggressive, during hotter months of summer. This can also lead to increased agitation and anxiety.

Ability to think clearly and make informed decisions

Warm, sunny weather may affect brainpower by:

• boosting your memory
• helping you feel more open to new information
• improving inattentiveness, if for instance you suffer from ADHD

It’s worth mentioning these effects only occur if you actually go outside. Just looking out of the window on a sunny day probably won’t have that much impact.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder, (SAD), is a condition with depression symptoms that only appear at during certain times of the year.

Most people with this type of depression experience symptoms like sadness, sleepiness, and increased appetite during the autumn and winter months, but relatively few symptoms in the spring and summer, although there is no hard and fast rule.

Symptoms can include agitation, insomnia, and poor appetite, along with a low mood.

SAD should be treated in the same way as other types of depression.

Treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide excellent relief, and can be used in conjunction with antidepressants if required

Light therapy is also a popular treatment for SAD, although it’s not clear as yet whether it’s an effective treatment in all instances.

Self help to relieve your symptoms

There are a number of things you can do to help improve your symptoms:

• try to get as much natural sunlight as possible – even a brief lunchtime walk can be beneficial
• make your work and home environments are as light and airy as possible
• sit near windows when you’re indoors
• take plenty of regular exercise, particularly outdoors and in daylight if possible
• eat a healthy, balanced diet
• although it’s not always possible, try to avoid stressful situations
• Seek person-centred therapy
• why not look into mindfulness meditation? Even a 10-minute session a day can give you a new sense of calm and balance, try it!