Opening the window in the morning and discovering that the day is gray and rainy gives us a certain discouragement and apathy. A psychologist explains why this happens to us and how to deal with it.
The weather influences our mood. “Research concludes that it can, in fact, have a significant impact on our mental health”points out Inmaculada del Olmo Díaz Cano, a psychologist at Espacio Cuarto de Contadores, a center for psychology and speech therapy in the province of Madrid.
In this sense, the specialist indicates that light “It is a key factor influencing our nervous system, since it helps regulate melatonin levels (a hormone related to sleep) and serotonin (a hormone related to mood). Thus, during the summer months, when there are more hours of sunlight, it is more common for people to feel more cheerful and energetic. In addition to the fact that it is a time of vacations and more outdoor activity. However, during the winter months, it is more common for them to feel more depressed and tired.”
But, in addition to light, there are other climatic factors that can have an impact on our mood. “The heat can cause fatigue and the cold can cause stress. Likewise, humidity and rain can have a negative effect on mood, since they can make us feel uncomfortable and down”, details Del Olmo.
The psychologist stresses that to understand why time affects us, we must take into account the evolution of our species. “We are beings that have been adapting genetically, since we were primates, and that, although our body has been changing, so has our brain. We must not forget where we come from, ”he comments.
The specialist recalls that animals have long periods of rest, since their brain interprets that when it is cold the hibernation season begins. “In our case, what the human brain does is tune in to the environment to adapt in the best possible way. That is, we regulate ourselves based on what our brain perceives from the outside thanks to the senses, for example, light, heat, cold, etc. In this way, if there is hardly any sunlight, the brain perceives that the best way to tune in with the weather at that moment is through the production of melatonin so that we are at rest. Melatonin is a sleep-regulating hormone, which contributes to feelings of tiredness and drowsiness. The body interprets that, when there are gray or rainy days, we have to be ‘hibernating’”, he explains.
“The inheritance we have from our primitive brain does not understand work rhythms or social obligations. However, our rational human brain knows that we have to continue with our work, whether or not there are sunny days. However, thanks to research on our biological tendency, we can anticipate and understand that, on days with fewer hours of sunlight, we may have a harder time being productive or feeling better moodso it is especially important to take care of yourself as much as possible in those seasons, ”he says.
circadian rhythms…
Del Olmo states that, once we know what factors influence our mood as a consequence of time, we can create our own strategies to readjust our circadian rhythms in the most adaptive way possible.
Circadian rhythms are biological cycles that last close to 24 hours a day. It is, for example, the blood concentration of hormones such as melatonin, body temperature or the sleep-wake cycle, among others. Our biological clock synchronizes these rhythms with the external environment.
Specialists from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the United States explain that biological clocks are natural devices that regulate the cycle of circadian rhythms.
They are made up of specific molecules that interact with cells in the body. “Almost all tissues and organs contain biological clocks,” they clarify. In addition, there is a master clock that coordinates all the biological clocks of an organism. “In vertebrate animals, including humans, the main clock is a group of about 20,000 neurons that form a structure called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN. The NSQ is located in the hypothalamus ”, they specify.
In this sense, Inmaculada del Olmo indicates that a good way to take control of our mood is trying to maintain a regular sleep routine, that is, trying to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Another way is “to take advantage of the sunlight as much as possible, going for walks in the fresh air, especially during the hours with more natural light, to increase serotonin levels. In addition, staying in shape by exercising regularly is a good strategy to improve your mood, especially if it is outdoors, ”he stresses.
Nor should we forget the importance of diet. This must be “balanced, rich in nutrients, to keep hormone levels regulated,” he says. Finally, the psychologist recommends “trying to reduce stress with some relaxation techniques to improve mood and feel more in control of our well-being.”
Del Olmo stresses that the weather can affect our mood in various ways and it is important to take it into account if we feel anxious or depressed. However, “weather is not the only cause of mental health problems and there are many other factors that can affect our mood. That is why it is important to consider aspects such as diet, exercise and interpersonal relationships and, if necessary, seek professional help ”, he emphasizes.
Efe-Reports / Purificación León
