I was browsing a blog the other day and saw an undated (recent?) entry suggesting that research shows that “weather has little effect on our mood.” The entry relied heavily on a recent study (Denissen et al., 2008) that …
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Very interesting article!
The bottom-line from my perspective (based on years of research studying retail sales and weather) is that people’s behavior is fundamentally influenced by the weather and climate. Physical comfort and need — the foundation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs — are driven to a very great extent by the weather and climate.
Layer on the influence of the weather on the mood of a consumer and it illustrates very strongly just how interconnected we all our to our environment — from a personal, emotional, and economic perspective.
Paul Walsh
G2 Weather Intelligence
I certainly feel changes in the weather. I can feel the days getting shorter by mid to late August, although that is only mild feelings of sadness and dread of weather to come. Cloudy days affect me the most. It feels like the clouds surround me, permeate me, and suffocate me. Abrupt changes (increases in cloudiness / temperature drops) are the most obvious.
I see it in others around me too. I have had several clients with seasonal patterns. I work with people with developmental disabilities, and on a cloudy day sometimes I no sooner walked into the building and immediately observed three or four people fighting, throwing things, and saying they wanted to be dead or hurt somebody.
At a staff meeting this morning (different setting – geriatric clients), we observed that a lot more patients than usual were talking about wanting to die last week (after the weather shifted from warm and clear to very cold and overcast or wet). I felt that one too.
weather does affect your mood, a lot. It would be useful to see more articles focusing on treatment/solution based response to this well studied affect.
As health care providers for patients affected by mood, how do you counteract the mood fluctuations? My strategy is I acknowledge the affect but ask the patient what THEY are going to do about it, because they cannot change the weather, and no matter what, “bad” weather happens everywhere.
@Me I take it from your response that you have patients and thus must be a physician of some sort. I very much like your attitude and suggestion to acknowledge a patient’s weather related symptoms. As far as what to do about it, given that the weather can’t be changed – I don’t know – but have a few tips. For anyone interested – Patient or Physician: Without knowing if/what other contributing factors there may be, I can state as a matter of certain fact, with no room for opinion, that fluctuations in weather can hugely affect a person’s physical/mental state! Regardless of what research/science finds or does not find – this particular human is affected my weather conditions, as such we, therefore, have proof!
For 30 years it had always, %100 of the time, has to do with overcast weather and rain for me. The “symptoms” range from very mild to severe. As to the severe symptoms: the most basic is the headache caused by overcast skies and/or rain. Said headache can last for as long as this weather state lasts, it can be severe and unrelieved by medications, often accompanied by days of nausea and vomiting, dizziness and vision problems. A rather unbearable symptom that is difficult to articulate are physical “sensations” brought on by these specific weather conditions. Muscle and joint pain are part of it ( easily relatable) accompanied by what I can only describe as a wired electric feeling throughout the body. Surely that’s not an adequate description as what human being would know what “electricity” in the body would feel like? It’s a sensation that causes the necessity to stretch constantly in order to achieve some seconds of relief. This in turn causes a general mental state of irritability/aggression/ or the mental state causes the physical??? Loud noises become intolerable etc. When symptoms are this severe I find there is nothing to be done but wait it out till the weather pattern passes. However when less severe, or responsive: coffee can help for the migraine type headache, LOTS of cold fluids (preferably water) can greatly help with the muscle and joint pains. For the wired sensation: cold water along with a B complex vitamin and liquid minerals can provide a great measure of relief. Perhaps something like an electrolyte drink will suffice. If at all possible, bar raging headache & vomiting, getting outside to walk, stretch, and breath deeply will help relieve/release some of the tension in order that you may return home and be able to do some sort of meditation.
I do not doubt that, at least in my case, there may likely be unknown contributing factors (female hormone fluctuations probably being one such factor) though I’m not sure. The only fact that remains is that this constellation of symptoms ONLY occur prior to the onset of overcast skies, rains and worse when lightening is involved and they last, to some degree, for the duration of that weather pattern.
If nothing else, I hope this can serve as validation for anyone who experiences this. One other suggestion in dealing with it’s severity is to try to get to a point of acceptance, sleeping more for those two or three days if you can, and knowing that it will eventually pass. In terms of the skepticism you’ve likely encountered from your Dr or more than one Dr. It’s important to remember that you in fact know how your body responds and a physician telling you it’s not possible should not cause you concern or anxiety. Doctors are simply professionals like the rest of us, they are not all knowing and their body of knowledge is based on the accepted research available to them.
In the past one of the most important things a Dr. learned concerned the simple act
of “listening to the patient” in order ascertain a possible diagnosis or research the issue to help the patient. For a host of reasons this is no longer done! We must accept current realities in health care. We’d do well to understand that this profession which is equally an art and a science is now void of the art. The art is now simply to refer the patient to psychiatry or to prescribe psychotropic drugs. So if you are healthy mentally and physically in most other ways and unless your Dr can explain why an antidepressant will treat weather related symptoms then doing the best you can and acceptance is key.
I think that weather does effect moods. I also think it effects your body like if you have arthritis on a rainy day your bones be hurtin i would know, even a couple days before it rains your bones start aching. And mood wise ex: i love the snow its beautiful and just amazing site to see so i get excited and if it rains i dont particularly like it n i just wanna sleep and i do and if its a thunder storm im excited, adn if its hot n sunny out i get mad, now for everyone its different but i believe it does change alot!
I would be willing to go as far as saying it is almost common knowledge that weather has an effect on mood. Of course, this is merely opinion. But I believe that weather absolutely has an effect on mood. Howard and Hoffman found that the number of hours of sunshine was found to predict optimism scores, which I’m sure a lot of people would agree with. Keller’s study found results that were consistent with findings on seasonal affective disorder. I feel that these results are closest to the actual link between weather and mood. In my opinion, people are more greatly affected by weather if a significant change in weather has occurred. For example, if its been cold and raining for a week straight and then all of a sudden its 75 degrees and sunny outside, people are much more likely to be affected by this in a positive way.
commenting usually isnt my thing, but ive spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the info
Today i felt like the happiest ive been in quite a while. It was much sunnier than oter days and i just felt generally happy. I love the summer so signs of summer could of made me happy. im not sure
Interesting article.Common wisdom and observation of oneself indicate that weather has indeed a strong effect in mood. Of course, many other things may affect that, including personal attitudes.
However, I would like to know the severe psychological effects of weather. In certain regions, for example the extreme south of Chile, madness and even suicide is commonly associated to strong winds, which often blow for several days. Is there any scientific evidence of that?
Being bipolar, with mental illness in other family members, and having a child who commited suicide, I know weather affects the brain, causing anxiety, sadness, depression. I don’t know if any studies have been done with those having known mental illnesses to document the fact that weather changes are definitely when their moods escalate? I feel that studies with mostly college students would less than accurate. With hectic schedules and continual action, charting may be slack, and I know many characteristics of mental illness become more prevalent in later years.
Just a thought….testing and charting those who have times of great difficulty, to see what triggers those bouts???
the article is really good
I believe weather and geography have had profound effects on feelings, human behavior and the course of history itself. The environmental influences are so pervasive we don’t even notice them as a cause. After spending many years in different countries and climates you can’t help but notice how warm weather effects the behavior of people. Stereo types about “fun-loving” Italians or Africans in certain good weather countries and “reserved” Germans and New Englanders have elements of truth. Storing and planning is more required in countries with longer winters, while spontaneous enjoyment does not threaten survival as much in warmer countries. People become “slugs” in steamy, humid Georgia summers, and “energized” in cool late summer New England summers; New Yorkers generally don’t talk to each other in the street especially on cold winter days; southerners in Dallas talk to each other while sitting outside on stoops and on and on. These banal observations have some how been missed by certain scientists. Don’t ask me how. Acid rain often causes more depression than clean Monsoon rains in less polluted areas of Asia. There are nuances that have to be considered. “Rainy” days are not all alike. People often love a good downpour and feel relaxed, softer and at peace, yet feel restless, ill at ease or depressed on overcast, acid drizzly days. Warm days make us relax in the sun; cold days makes us walk faster to keep warm or make us stay inside where we tend to feel more tense. It’s true that some people feel way more affected by weather than others; research into possible physiological reasons would be fascinating. But in a recent very rainy LI spring, shops lost customers and both the economy and mood went into a depression that lasted until July when the sun finally came out and people went shopping and started eating out. The spring prior to this had been sunny and people had started eating out and spending money on April 1; it was in all the local papers; shop keepers were saying that the weather was effecting their sales more than the great recession/wall streeet crash of 2008.
I kinda just have a question really cause even though I know that the weather definitely has an effect on peoples mood in the way you have just outlined..I am curious…. I myself love the rain and the winter time…. as a matter of fact when it starts to rain I get all giddy inside and want to go play in it and whatnot… The winter time aside from being cold just puts me in a wonderful mood…
very interesting article…..I like this
does anyone have any thoughts on whether a white Christmas elevates the mood of people?
I know all of that research very well, am a Psychology Ph.D. and full professor, and I would not draw the conclusion that you draw here. The conclusions that Keller et al draw after a careful study is that sunny/warm weather has a beneficial effect WHEN the weather goes from bad to good and WHEN people can be out it in. I am much more comfortable with that conclusion when I look over the research. Individuals are not good at knowing the actual multiple and interactive causes of their behavior and their moods so I count on good science to tell us. Many Europeans are sure that Americans have fake smiles, are superficial, insincere and are unconcerned about their familes and fellow men/women. Should we say they are right because it is their experience?
i was doing a science project on information on can the weather really effect your mood and its due in 1 week so yea time goes really fast so its realyl due really soon?I need real information really fast now not trying to be demanding or anythig just i just need answers very soon please thank you very much!?
I have no clue this is talking about!
nice… i like this article… very kool…
is anybody even here??
just wanted 2 know…
I believe that this is a very interesting article
Hello. I enjoyed the article. Thanks.
Also, I find the observations of “everythingisweather” in 5/10/09 very fascinating. I will definately keep it in mind.
I grew up in Southeast Asia (ie.year-round: warm, humid and sunny weather with wonderful afternoon thunder storms/seasonal monsoons) and am now living in North Asia (ie. ever changing weather conditions, humidity, rainfall, sunshine, rapidly changing temperatures). So, I can relate to some of the observations made.
I really appreciate the comments made by everyone above. So, thanks. I am checking now on whether, and how, air pressure can influence our mood. Does anyone know?
I’m convinced weather plays a role in our moods. I know for a fact that I’m affected by the onset of winter and shortening of day length. I’ve also observed a shortening of tempers among workmates in extreme heat – not daily so much as over time when night time temperatures remain high enough to make sleep difficult – I think it’s lack of sleep as the real issue. Interesting post.
Weather does effect moods. Whenever it’s raining, I just wanna sleep, and my back always aches. So it effects me both physically and mentally.
But can it affect our business desicions as well?
Good morning folks ! Or is it ? . Weather can massively affect our moods ! I live in the uk and we are pretty used to dull weather which is prob why we can all be so miserable for sure ! . I awoke ( well I have not really slept) this morning with such a headache and aching back , and I have def not touched alcohol or been lifting anything heavy. It is raining here today and the temp is approx 14′c, humidity has been high although am unsure of exact pressure. The weather for the last two days has been between 22′c and 30′c , much drying and the pressure has def been lower and on these days I have jumped out of bed and felt fantastic ! No aches or pains! I find it’s the massive daily change between weather that’s makes me feel worse! Ah and air cabin pressure makes me the same
I would like to add. The fact that I am a happy healthy 30 yr old who actually loves the rain and snow too! It’s fascinating when you really think about how we all react to the weather and also the moon ! Which of course is opposite to the sunshine
! (sorry I know that’s a little obvious) I notice changes in my female collegues at work around a full moon . We try to distant ourselves from nature so much at times , being the greater beings we think we are. I have throughly enjoyed reading all the comments on here !
Over the last 30 years I can tell the weather by my mood. When a low pressure is on its way (24 hours or so before it arrives) I’m tense and do not sleep very well. Before a high pressure system arrives, I’m very relaxed and sleep soundly.
To me ..
Summer is my tiardest + depression season ..
Fall is a time for mind refreshing, but not to work..
Winter a happens one + some how it’s calm my feeling down ..here I can do my best ..
Spring it’s as vacation time …I can let my soul gaid me to right things..
May be I feel like that coz I live ..med east Asia
Really it’s so interesting ,,
Thank for everyone..
I don’t think that sunshine has anything to do with optisim because I live in AZ the sun is always shineing and only 5% of the people here are have optisim
I just googled up whether or not the weather can affect our moods when I came upon your article. I will briefly share my experience with this. I have a mood disorder.
I have Bipolar II Disorder, along with Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety issues and PTSD issues. I have done a lot of therapy and have learned to cope. But what I do notice with my moods is that on days when the sun is not out, I am in such a miserable fog.
I feel really bummed and down. On days when the sun is out, especially days when it’s bright and the weather is beautiful out, I’m extremely happy, hyper and upbeat. For example, yesterday it was a gorgeous day out. The sun was out and the weather was warm.
Today, it was grey all day, not one ounce of sunshine and it was so cool that I actually had to turn my heat on which was odd for June. I’m feeling so bummed, that I knew it was the lack of sunshine but felt like googling it anyway.
I wish I’d day in summer. This is how bad I feel in summer. MAnia, irritability, depression. I HATE SUMMER.
Hopefully autumn/winter are just around the corner.
Good article, but there is increasing recognition for the summer version of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or even for people who may not technically get depressed in summer but have light sensitivity or get headaches caused by a lot of sun. Ph.green and smartt@t seem to be two of these types of people, I’m another. Summer is depressing for me and it’s only worse with harassing comments from others because we are not comfortable with what is “popular.”
I wonder if that study only linked responses to one type of weather condition, or did it find any bimodal responses where some felt much better in cooler, cloudier and/or dimmer (less or a lower angle of sun) conditions?
Perhaps an investigation into the psychology of summer SAD could be in order?
I’d like to see/read more about how changest in weather affect people. I lived in an area with volatile weather changes for years. As time went by, I believe mood, fms and arthritis were all affected. I had contant headaches, irritability, etc whenever the weather changed. Eventually, I had this from about Oct-April, when the sky was overcast continually. I tried to go outside during the day and got a special lamp to help with light, but it did not help at all. The only way I know to explain it is that I had a “body migraine.” Not just my head, but my whole body reacted to volatile weather by feeling swollen, irritable and painful.
I moved to Arizona a few years ago. I have the same problems during our two “rainy” seasons, but the affects are much less and much shorter.
BTW, I also lived in Central Americz for a while. The daily rain shower did not bother me.
Fascinating subject. I softening myself consciously wonderinghowthe weather is impacting mood. I am Rothwell researched on the subject, however, have a nuanced opinion on the subject. Although I certainly think That there are some generalizable correlations between mood weather, I also think that culture, experiential associations, and where one lifespan have an even moreprofound, direct, and varied impact onmoodwith respect to weather. Having lived in a universities of climates, from st. Petersburg to El Paso to Singapore, can say that how weather effected my Moody’s highly dependent on where I lived. For example, when lived in Russia, I craved the sun during the winter whereas when lived in sunny El Paso, I yearned for cloudy days if not rain. In Texas, the sun putme in a sour mood. It was an irritant. In Russia, the sun put me in a cheery mood.
This is very interesting, previously i lived in in a country like Philippines, which the weather was nice, all equal, 6months summer and rainy seasons.. but when i lived in south korea for almost 2 years, it happen to me 2 times in a year that i have a great changes in mood in my entire life.. like does not want talking to somebody and want’s to feel alone (this is different from homesick).. if i remember correctly, it was start of winter, and start of summer.. i became so emotional on many things during this time even though i don’t have any problems,.. even my wife ask if the weather affects (sometims upto 8PM the sun is still shining) my attitude towards life.. and i say i don’t know.., but after reading this article.. eventhough there are no proven facts, i can believe that it is true.. in Philippines, i never faced any kind of different mood changes i mentioned..