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The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said some days must be dark and dreary… but does our mood have to match?

So many words we use to describe the human condition are linked to weather, like having a ‘sunny’ personality or a ‘tempestuous’ streak. You can probably think of a whole playlist of songs that use weather to describe emotions. But how much does the weather truly affect our mood? The answer may surprise you.

Is it a stormy mood or dark skies?

Not to be confused with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - a very real type of depression brought on by the amount of light we’re exposed to - the scientific link between weather and mood is still pretty grey.

Physical, mental and behavioural changes can be observed over a 24-hour cycle - this is what’s referred to as a circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms regulate our sleep, so if the cycle is disrupted by changes in light, things can start to feel pretty out of sync. It’s very normal to feel a touch of 'winter blues' in the colder seasons. About 2 million people (just under 3%) in the UK are diagnosed with SAD, but its suspected to be a lot more common in its milder forms. It’s no surprise a rainy day might put you off going outside, but it’s still important to get some natural light as this exposes us to UV rays which can help to regulate your circadian rhythm - so wrap up warm and see how a little time in nature boosts your mood.

However, if you find you’re consistently down at the same time of year and it affects your daily life, then it might be worth investigating SAD and visiting your GP.

So what’s the deal with the weather?

It’s hard to measure; mood can be affected by so many factors. However, there are things related to the weather which definitely seem to change the way we feel. This can include humidity, sunshine, temperature, wind, barometric pressure, precipitation (rain) and sky cover. Those already diagnosed with mood disorders might find themselves more sensitive to these changes.

Overall the Sun seems to have the greatest effect: spending time outdoors in pleasant weather has been shown to improve mental health, energy and focus. Sunlight helps regulate the circadian rhythm, which in turn improves sleep. It also prompts your body to produce vitamin D, which is responsible for healthy bones and muscles. Since the 1980s, bright light therapy has been used to help patients with depression around the darker seasons to make up for the reduced exposure to natural light.

However, hotter temperatures in summer tend to make us more aggravated and impatient, so a nice sunny day might not always guarantee happiness - in fact, you might welcome a dark and stormy night to cool off.

Cloudy with a chance of positive thinking

That isn’t to say witnessing grey skies may not affect you personally - in fact, our attitudes towards the weather might have more of an effect on us than the weather itself. This is known as 'weather reactivity', and is psychological rather than a direct effect of the weather. One 2011 study for the American Psychological Association's Emotion journal found that teenagers who were “rain haters” were indeed less happy on drizzly days, but happier than average on sunny days. Comparatively “summer haters” were less fearful and angry on cooler days, but ultimately almost half of participants weren’t affected at all. This would suggest that the weather itself is less important than how we feel about it in the first place.

To help you feel better whatever the weather, try reframing your outlook. If you’re not a fan of the rain, consider the fact that plants are being watered and see if that helps boost your mood when grey skies approach. Or you may listen to the sound of rain during meditation, and associate it with calm and relaxation. As for those who like to hide from the Sun, it might be a good idea to appreciate the light from the comfort of the shade rather than staying inside altogether. Another way to help you feel better if cooped up indoors during bad weather is to exercise, as this can help boost your self-esteem and your mood – and if you can do it with other people, even better!

Likewise, noting something you like about each season, even if it’s not your favourite, could improve your sunny disposition all-year-round. Of course, as things heat up or cool down, take care to protect yourself and enjoy the weather sensibly.

This article was published in January 2023