Why does the weather affect our mood so much A week of near-scorching weather

 Why does the weather affect our mood so much

A week of near-scorching weather, followed by several days of rain, high temperatures, then near-freezing temperatures... 

If you're like me, the unstable spring weather of recent times is likely affecting your mood. Well, rest assured: it's completely normal, and even proven by science! 

A mechanism deeply rooted in our biology

Sunny days have the effect of a gentle caress on me: I feel joyful, energetic, and ready to move mountains. It's hard to stop me with my contagious good humor. 

Rainy days, on the other hand, are a different story: low morale, temporary depression, lack of energy and motivation... These are often the kind of days when I want to stay curled up under the covers and not see anyone.

This link between weather and mood doesn't come out of nowhere. It's partly explained by our biological clock. When the sun is out, our bodies produce more serotonin, a hormone that acts as a natural antidepressant.

Conversely, a lack of light leads to a decrease in serotonin and an increase in melatonin, the sleep hormone. The result: fatigue, slowing down, and sometimes even a slight inner fog that clouds our thoughts.

This is why some people feel depressed on gloomy days, almost as if their body is pressing the pause button without their consent.

Less light, less momentum

Bad weather also tends to curb our outdoor activities. We exercise less, go out less, and see fewer people. 

This withdrawal, even temporary, can create a feeling of isolation that accentuates our gloomy mood. The body moves less, the brain spins more, and we find ourselves with our spirits in our laps.

And if you're already anxious or prone to mood swings, you're more likely to feel the effects of the weather more acutely. It's not all in your head: some people are simply more sensitive to these fluctuations.

When our beliefs influence our feelings

Beyond hormones and social interactions, there's also an important psychological factor: our mental associations. 

Good weather is often linked, in our collective imagination, to joy, freedom, and social life. 

Conversely, we spontaneously associate rain with melancholy, even sadness. This cognitive bias colors our experience.

What if we learned to reinvent our relationship with rain? Instead of seeing it as a drag or another gloom in our week, why not consider it as an invitation to calm?

Rain is a time of rest for nature. And it can be for us too. It can be the perfect opportunity to slow down, run a bath, read wrapped in a blanket, or share a hot drink with someone we love. Rain can become a cocoon, a moment to savor instead of endure.

Some tips for getting through the gray weather more gently

Fortunately, there are several simple ways to better navigate these darker days:

• Engage in some physical activity, even gentle, indoors. Movement remains one of the best mood regulators.
• Take vitamin D supplements, especially in Quebec, where sun exposure is very limited for a good part of the year.
• Use a light therapy lamp, especially in the morning, to simulate natural light.
• Increase opportunities for social interaction, even if it's just for a coffee or a 15-minute call.

And above all: adopt a more nuanced view of the weather. Remember that each season, each sky, can offer a form of beauty or respite. It's no less alive: it's simply a different way of living.

Accepting cycles, within yourself and around you

Our mood is cyclical. It varies, like the weather, depending on multiple factors. Rather than resisting these waves, perhaps we can learn to welcome them, to tame them. 

Some days carry us, others invite us to slow down. And that's fine. Because, in every clearing, as in every drop of rain, there is a moment to live fully