NO ONE WOULD deny that the weather has a lot to do with our mood – a bright sunny day lifts us, but bad weather makes us miserable. Is it all in the mind and should we work harder at just getting on with our day, whatever the weather?!
Spectators heading to Wimbledon last week would have packed a brolly, with warnings of heavy rainfall expected over the hallowed courts, and this wasn’t the only event affected by unseasonable weather recently – and if the lack of sun has put you in a gloomy mood, you’re not alone.
Research that was conducted in San Francisco – where it reportedly rains 67% of the year – suggests people do report feeling down, lonely and have lower self esteem. There are practical reasons as to why this affects our psychology, because if it’s raining a lot, we don’t see people quite so much.
This spring has seen worse weather compared to last year, plus the effects of lockdown restrictions have taken their toll. Last year, when we were in the midst of lockdown, the weather was beautiful from April but now, when we are desperate to get out, desperate to have some type of normality – the weather works against us!
And it’s not necessarily depression that can result from grey days. Rainy days are also associated with rises in aggression, which may well be because we’ve been cooped up, building up energy, and unable to go for that run or ride, or our usual form of healthy expression.
So, while we can’t control the weather, we can control ourselves. Here’s how:
Don’t fall victim to FOMO
If you have to cancel or change plans because of wet weather, it’s easy to feel hard done by and get a kind of FOMO (fear of missing out).
We tend to believe that had the weather been better, we might have had more fun. We miss or mourn something we haven’t necessarily had, which is worth recognising. There’s no guarantee that any day, any event would have been absolutely perfect had it gone ahead as planned.
Go out anyway
You don’t always have to ‘take a rain check’ when grey clouds loom. Sometimes, it’s a case of ‘just do it’. If it’s dull day, it may not be raining, so get the wellies, get your anoraks on, pack a picnic and just get out there. The most important thing is to make the most of the daylight, even if it’s not sunny, and make it an adventure.
Be flexible
Similarly, while that picnic or barbecue might not be possible in torrential rain, you can catch up with friends or family indoors. Make it an event in itself – make a cream tea, or organise a leisurely lunch.
Keep moving
Is working from home giving you cabin fever? Change your location in the house, do some stretches, think about someone you love. Simple activities can make a huge difference and benefit both your physical and mental health.
Treat yourself
Whether you are working from home, or just stuck inside on a rainy day, have some little healthy treats throughout the day. Have a really nice lunch, get out into the garden, groom the cat – just to break up the day and shift your focus to something different. Things like candles or scents, or having some background music on can help to keep your mood light.
Remember the power of exercise
Taking even half an hour out of your day to exercise – anything from a quick HIIT session, to yoga or some gym time – will completely shift your focus and produce those feel-good endorphins that will sustain you through the rest of a dreary day.
