There is nothing like spending the weekend out with friends or family preparing for a hike or a camping trip. Upon leaving your house, however, a few water droplets meet your face and soon develop into a downpour, resulting in cancelled plans and staying in.
While there are some people who feel comfort when the rains come, there are also those who feel down. Is it just because of the cancelled plans or is there some other reason behind this?
Rain, Rain, Go Away
If you are one of those individuals who feel lonely when it rains and find yourself asking why, know that it is true that rains can cause negative emotions among people. A study shows that 9% of the global population agree that the rains make them sad. They observe a great change in their mood, including a decrease in the level of their self-esteem.
According to the study, one of the best ways to combat this rainy season-related feeling of loneliness is to turn on the lights in your room. This will help elevate your mood by increasing the amount of serotonin in your body.
It is also encouraged to turn up some music and engage yourself in some activities that make you feel good. For example, since you cannot really go out, why don’t you stay in the glassroom at the back of your Kent home instead and read a book or watch a feel-good film with your kids? Or, experiment on a new recipe in your kitchen for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Do not isolate yourself during the rainy weather since that will only make you even more down. Instead, use the time to connect with your loved ones.
Behaviour and Cognition
Meanwhile, most people feel the opposite — joy and warmth — during summer days. The problem, however, is that some of them tend to find it difficult to concentrate on their tasks at hand due to their desire to go out. Studies have shown that cloudy or gloomy weather can actually help improve focus and memory.
One particular study observed the ability of shoppers from Australia to remember the identity and placement of some items placed randomly within a small store. The researchers found that shoppers could recall an average of three times more objects during cloudy days compared to sunny days. It concluded that while sunny days bring in good moods, they could lead to a decrease in concentration due to the lack of motivation to work or get things done.
Other studies, meanwhile, have shown links between high temperatures and aggressive behaviour. In the U.S., for example, crimes occur more frequently during hot days, particularly in the warmer states. One simple explanation could be that cold, snowy weather would encourage people to stay indoors and engage less in social activities, compared to warm days that beg for social interaction and outdoor activities.
This just proves that there is indeed a connection between the weather and people’s behaviour. Weather conditions help shape people’s moods, thinking processes, and actions. But of course, people have different preferences, so weather and temperature changes could result in different perceptions among individuals.
