Not being rational, feeling depressed, low on ideas, not able to focus, feeling aggressive and low on optimism? You can blame the weather, as studies suggest that it can have a deep psychological impact on humans.

Prior studies on the association between weather and psychological changes have produced mixed results. In part, this inconsistency may be because weather’s psychological effects are moderated by two important factors: the season and time spent outside.

In two correlational studies and an experiment manipulating participants’ time outdoors, pleasant weather (meaning higher temperature or barometric pressure) was related to higher mood, better memory, and broadened cognitive style during the spring as time spent outside increased.

The same relationships between mood and weather were not observed during other times of year, and indeed hotter weather was associated with lower mood in the summer.

These results are consistent with findings on seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and suggest that pleasant weather improves mood and broadens cognition.

Following are the findings of a study called “A multidimensional approach to the relationship between mood and weather” (by Howarth E, Hoffman MS).

“Ten mood variables were related to eight weather variables in a multidimensional study. Data were collected from 24 male subjects over 11 consecutive days. The mood variables were as follows: concentration, cooperation, anxiety, potency, aggression, depression, sleepiness, scepticism, control, and optimism. The weather variables included: hours of sunshine, precipitation, temperature, wind direction, wind velocity, humidity, change in barometric pressure and absolute barometric pressure. Humidity, temperature and hours of sunshine had the greatest effect on mood. High levels of humidity lowered scores on concentration while increasing reports of sleepiness. Rising temperatures lowered anxiety and scepticism mood scores. Humidity was the most significant predictor in regression and canonical correlation analysis. Implications for school and office performance are discussed which highlight the importance of humidity as a weather variable.”

As I type this, the weather outside is raining and I can confirm the findings of the study. I am feeling very sleepy and unable to focus too well…

So before you blame yourself for being unhappy or depressed, think about the weather.

Be sure to check back soon for an article on how to deal with the negative effects that weather has on you.

Now I’m going to have some sleep…

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