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LightbulbSun
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I've heard about this a lot how the sun makes people happy and how cloudy and rainy days make people depressed. But I want to know if this is just a social myth or if there's any scientific grounding behind this?
Evo said:I think it's mostly psychological. If you are brought up to believe coudy days are gloomy, then you're going to think you should feel gloomy.
I love cloudy days. And a thunderstorm can put me in the best mood. Hot sunny days are the worst, I won't even go outside.
Consider Eskimos and other people that live where there is six months a year with very little sun.
I've heard of people being sensitive to barometric pressure. I used to have an odd effect from drops in barometric pressure in my teens. I haven't noticed it in years though.Moonbear said:That's not necessarily true. On cloudy/rainy days, I wake up feeling pretty lousy before I even open the blinds to know what the weather is like outside. I don't think it's psychological, because I don't know what the weather is before I feel that way, but I also don't think it has to do with it being darker (it's different than SAD which is due to shortening daylengths), again because I have no way to tell it's darker until I open my blinds. In my case, at least, I think it has to do with the changes in pressure associated with the storm systems moving in (I'll also start to feel headachy/hazy a few hours before a storm comes in, and even while the storm is still ongoing, will already start feeling better). Most people around me have reported similar symptoms on the same days.
That may be a reaction in the sinuses. My wife experiences the same thing as Moonbear describes, and it's particularly bad when a frontal system move through.In my case, at least, I think it has to do with the changes in pressure associated with the storm systems moving in (I'll also start to feel headachy/hazy a few hours before a storm comes in, and even while the storm is still ongoing, will already start feeling better).
Hi Far Star, articles don't have to be peer reviewed, especially outside of the pure physics forums. We just want to make sure that credible sources are cited.Far Star said:I'm not sure if this is peer reviewed. It does follow along the subject at hand, though.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1994.tb01612.x
I wonder if this is hot, *sunny* days? Usually cloudy days aren't as hot as sunny ones. I wish I had access to the entire paper. Of course it is no secret that I hate hot, sunny days. I do recall other studies of increased violence during summertime. Yep, here we go.Higher ambient temperature and an increase in air temperature over the few past weeks were the most significant climatic predictors of violent suicide rate.
Summer 'sees peak in violence'
More violence happens in the summer months than at any other time of the year, research suggests.
A survey of data from hospital casualty units points to seasonal trends, with the lowest number of attacks coming in February and April.
The researchers said previous research had raised the idea that injury from assault is a "seasonal disorder".
Yep, that was often mentioned in Houston, and IIRC in many other metropolitan areas, during the summer months. When it's cold, people prefer to be in doors.I do recall other studies of increased violence during summertime.
Moonbear said:That's not necessarily true. On cloudy/rainy days, I wake up feeling pretty lousy before I even open the blinds to know what the weather is like outside. I don't think it's psychological, because I don't know what the weather is before I feel that way, but I also don't think it has to do with it being darker (it's different than SAD which is due to shortening daylengths), again because I have no way to tell it's darker until I open my blinds. In my case, at least, I think it has to do with the changes in pressure associated with the storm systems moving in (I'll also start to feel headachy/hazy a few hours before a storm comes in, and even while the storm is still ongoing, will already start feeling better). Most people around me have reported similar symptoms on the same days.
Evo said:This is interesting I wonder if this is hot, *sunny* days? Usually cloudy days aren't as hot as sunny ones. I wish I had access to the entire paper. Of course it is no secret that I hate hot, sunny days. I do recall other studies of increased violence during summertime. Yep, here we go.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1182636.stm
kewlpseudonym said:while it might state that it was days of summer that may have an increase of violence its a known effort by scientists to prove that violence, murders, and such are predominately occurring in times that are on days in which there is a new moon or full moon. Lunar phases are known to effect the weather and tides. the only reason this hasnt been accepted as more than just a theory is the reasoning that crime suspects will use this as a means to get out of a trial with murder for blaming it on the moon.
i personally believe the reasoning for feeling under-the-weather, or gloom, when its rainy or sunny is not because what you're used to or how its a systematic underground perception of how if it rains then its a bad day, i believe the phases of the moon cause the weather as well as a metabolic imbalance or bad equillibrium due to the change in the phases.
http://www.innerself.com/Astrology/full_moon.htm
it causes changes with moods, ovulation time periods, and hysteria.
p.s. i hate the heat too, i personally prefer autumn.
Yes, the weather can have a significant impact on our mood. Studies have shown that changes in weather, such as temperature, humidity, and amount of sunlight, can affect our emotions and behavior.
Weather can affect our mood in a variety of ways. For example, cloudy and rainy days tend to make people feel more gloomy and tired, while sunny and warm days can boost our mood and energy levels. Changes in weather can also affect our levels of serotonin and melatonin, which play a role in regulating our mood.
Yes, extreme weather conditions can have a stronger impact on our mood. For instance, extreme heat can make us feel more irritable and agitated, while extreme cold can make us feel more depressed and lethargic. These conditions can also lead to physical discomfort, which can further affect our mood.
There is no one specific type of weather that has the strongest effect on our mood. Different people may have different reactions to the same weather conditions. Additionally, our mood can also be influenced by other factors such as our personal experiences and current stress levels.
While we cannot control the weather itself, we can take steps to manage how it affects our mood. This can include practicing self-care, such as getting enough rest, exercise, and spending time outdoors in pleasant weather. It is also important to be aware of our emotional responses to different weather conditions and find healthy coping mechanisms to manage them.