How do different types of weather affect your emotions?

Prolonged heat and humidity can take a toll on you, as can endless days of rain and the bitter cold during the winter months. Less-than-pleasant weather that drags on can complicate outdoor plans, make traffic miserable and, honestly, feel like it's starting to affect your overall well-being. The study found that the amount of sunshine, temperature and humidity had the greatest effect on mood. In particular, it showed that high humidity lowered concentration and increased sleepiness — something many Houstonians can likely relate to. Additionally, a 2005 study found that spending more time outdoors in pleasant weather is associated with higher mood and better memory. The study concluded that spring was linked to improved mood since people had been deprived of pleasant weather all winter, and that hotter weather was linked to lower mood in the summer. However, the study did find that sunlight, wind and temperature could affect negative moods, like tiredness — although the impact was very minor. What may be becoming more clear, however, is that how weather affects mood likely varies significantly from person to person. Taking these different subpopulations into account, the study identified four weather reactivity types: Those unaffected by weather – mood is unrelated to weather Summer lovers – mood improves on warm, sunny days Summer haters – mood improves on cool, cloudy days Rain haters – particularly bothered by rain.

Weather can play a significant role in mood shifts, especially with abrupt temperature changes. For many, warmer weather brings an uplifted spirit, more energy, and motivation to socialize or exercise outdoors. Conversely, colder or gloomy days can make us feel sluggish, even a bit down. When temperatures rise, our body releases endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones, which can improve mood. In colder, darker months, this hormonal release is reduced, impacting our overall sense of well-being. With shorter daylight hours, our body’s circadian rhythm—a natural internal clock—becomes disrupted. This disruption can lead to lower energy levels, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. While sunshine generally lifts spirits, extreme heat can also impact mood. For example, very hot weather can make people feel irritable or less motivated to engage in daily activities. When the temperature spikes, people may experience dehydration or fatigue, which can further reduce energy and lead to a sense of lethargy or frustration.

Grey rainy days can pull most people’s moods down, especially if it’s day after day. One theory is due to the increase in social isolation and inactivity that this causes, whilst cloud-filled skies obscure the sun meaning less daylight exposure and gaining less of the ‘feel-good’ hormone serotonin which we require to regulate our moods and lower stress. Yet research has shown that rainfall can improve our moods too. This unique earthy aroma is called petrichor - caused thanks to bacteria in the soil releasing the fragrance resulting from a chemical reaction between the water and organic compounds built up in the ground. This smell has been linked to fostering positive emotions and giving a sense of calm, possibly because there is an evolutionary link within us that our ancestors relied upon this scent for survival. Physical benefits of getting outside in the sun includes gaining a vital source of the ‘sunshine’ vitamin D that is key in strong bone health, and an increase in serotonin production meaning a boost to our overall mood and focus. For some, when daylight levels are continually low, such as during the darker winter months, this can lead to prolonged periods of feeling depressed, also known as SAD. Everybody is different and we will all have our preferred temperature, however, research has found that there is a commonality in our relationship with temperature and mood - either extreme is correlated to negative moods, and if continually exposed will have potential health impacts too. Perhaps less obvious is the pressure changes in the atmosphere, which some people are more sensitive to than others - for example, some migraines can be triggered by excessive pressure changes or an increased sensitivity to pain has also been linked to a high atmospheric pressure.