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A variety of factors influence your mental health including weather.
While you cant control the weather, you could learn about how weather and climate might affect you.
Changes in the seasons can affect our moods.
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For example, we might associate summer with family vacations and trips to the beach.
We therefore have positive expectations when the season arrives.
The danger is we might fall into theexpectation vs reality trap.
When we meet with bad weather or obstacles such as lack of money to travel, we can becomestressed.
The reality doesnt match up with what we had anticipated.Seasonal changes impact our moods and behaviorsin complex ways.
This is a form ofdepressionthat generally begins when the fall season starts and light diminishes.
SAD worsens in the winter and occurs again the same time annually.
Its important to note that SAD is due to lack of sunlight and the days getting shorter.
While it occurs during fall and winter seasons, its not due to the cold temperatures.
It throws off your sleep and darkens your moods.
The milder version is known as simply the winter blues.
They includelight therapy, vitamin D supplements, change in lifestyle habits and antidepressants.
How Do Nordic Countries Combat SAD?
Their cultural philosophy is to accept and celebrate winter.
They use this period as a time to get cozy and rest.
And they also remain active in nature.
Those living in the Nordic nationsstay content and grateful.
This mindset becomes valuable as darkness prevails.
Effects of Warm Temperatures on Mental Health
Weather affects our moods, temperaments, depression and outlook.
It can also affect peoples personalities.
While mildly warm temperatures might be pleasant, soaring hot temperatures can cause people to become aggressive.
One studywas conducted to analyze the link between weather and daily shootings in Chicago from 2012 to 2016.
Researchers found a definite correlation between crime and higher temperatures.
When temperatures rose 10 degrees higher than average, researchers found a 33.8% higher rate of shootings.
But we must remember to pay attention to the indirect effects, too.
In a 2018 study,scientists found that Australian children were very concerned about climate change.
They are also at risk of psychological harm after even indirect exposure.
This study surveyed 10,000 children and young people in ten countries.
Participants were 16 to 25 years old.
About 59% were very or extremely worried while 84% were moderately worried about climate change.
More than half reported feeling sad, anxious, angry, powerless, helpless, and guilty.
Almost half of respondents reported these feelings about climate change negatively impacted their functioning and daily life.
Additionally, 75% said that they think the future is frightening.
We must remind ourselves that people often come together after environmental crises to help each other.
This has been demonstrated after wildfires, hurricanes and tornadoes in the United States and across the world.
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