I RECEIVED an email from a guy who asked me why he becomes sad when it rains, so sad that he finds it extremely hard to get out of bed. Today I’m going to discuss why this is a problem that you and millions of other people face as the weather has been shown to greatly influence mental health.

If you live on this planet, you’ve had some opinions about the weather. It’s actually a go-to topic of conversation when we are making uncomfortable small talk. But have we ever discuss its serious effects?

Guyana does not fully experience the typical four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. To my knowledge, we have a rainy season and dry season. But even rain and sun (or lack thereof) have drastic effects on our mood and overall mental health. There is a common disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is a type of depression that comes and goes based on the weather and seasonal pattern. This is a serious health condition with symptoms such as persistent sadness, low moods, loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, low self-esteem etc. It is most common in countries which experience the winter seasons. This and other illnesses present on a change of weather due to the subsequent changes in our body’s circadian rhythm –basically our wake and sleep cycle. This is mostly controlled by light and darkness and weeks of overcast skies (which can happen in our rainy season), can cause chemical imbalances which decrease the possibility of positive moods.

When the daylight decreases, our bodies naturally produce melatonin – our sleep hormone and this can happen even on overcast days. During the high sunlight days, serotonin, our happy hormone which affects our mood, appetite and sleep- is produced on a higher scale. Therefore, this chemical will also decrease on overcast days, resulting in a lower mood.
This means that certain weather, especially harsh types can increase mental health illnesses such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias and even substance use.

We have all experienced a time when weather greatly influenced our behaviour. We are more likely or more in the mood to do certain hobbies or activities based on the weather. How many times have we stayed in, went out or just drank alcohol because of the certain weather conditions and the moods they bring? It is almost as if the weather decides whether we will socialise or be in isolation. The weather even decides what kind of sleep we have as studies show individuals get a better night’s sleep in a cooler environment. Some studies even show that people are more inventive and creative on sunny days. It can also have a negative effect as too much sun results in dehydration, sleeplessness and lethargy all of which leads to aggression and mood swings. Weather also creates chaos as in colder or rainy climates, individuals are less likely to be productive or even do routine, daily activities that are there to promote stability. Other studies show that weather brings out the worst in people. One study, in particular, showed that heat and extreme rain (both experienced in Guyana) increase aggression and conflict within and among individuals. This means that for those with an already existing mental illness, weather patterns can worsen currently experienced symptoms. Some studies even suggest that warmer weather results in a higher frequency of crime and suicide. However, it can also go the other way as some individuals have other wised claimed that rain eases their anxiety and produces calm.
There is a range of treatments for people who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder or any mental health issues due to changes in weather patterns. There are lifestyle changes such as increased sleep and exercise, spending more time in the natural sunlight and effectively and healthily managing stress levels. There is light therapy which is a light box which produces artificial light to simulate exposure to sunlight (this may be a little drastic for Guyana). As always, there are talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or there is doctor prescribed anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication. It is always recommended to go to your doctor to decide which one may be right for you.
If you are wondering why you may need help with this, please keep in mind that our circadian rhythms affect our immune systems, our mood, our self-esteem, our weight, energy and productivity levels and so much more.

Does the weather affect you and your mood? Can you think of anything else that may be affecting your mood on a daily basis?

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com

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