Does weather really affect your mood?

It’s common to enjoy the sunshine and dread the cold. But can the weather actually impact your mood?

Everyone is different, and it’s difficult to definitively say which season truly reigns supreme.   

Research suggests that how we feel can be impacted by several weather-related factors.

Here, we look at some of the ways the weather may be impacting your mood, with a few mood-boosting tips to help you in any season.

Researchers have been investigating the link between weather and mood for decades. This includes a study which found that time spent outside in ‘pleasant’ weather can have a positive impact on a person’s mental health.¹

In the study, 600 participants experienced improved mood, memory, creativity and openness to new information on better-weather days. And the more time they spent outside, the greater the effects.

Researchers then compared that experience with another group of participants, who were exposed to ‘unpleasant’ weather and spent most of their time indoors.

Just 30 minutes outside on a warm, sunny day lifted participants’ spirits, but the reverse was true for participants who stayed inside, as they experienced a drop in mood and mental energy.

While it’s normal for our moods to fluctuate with the seasons, cooler weather can trigger seasonal affective disorder (SAD).²

SAD is a depressive disorder that commonly begins in autumn and lingers through winter, before improving in spring. However, in some cases people experience this type of depression in summer too.

It’s thought that SAD may be a result of reduced sunlight during the darker seasons. This is likely due to the connection between sunlight and the ‘feel-good’ hormone serotonin.³

Signs and symptoms of SAD include:

• moodiness
• irritability
• lethargy
• oversleeping
• weight gain or loss
• changes in appetite.

In extreme cases, SAD-related depression can last all year, with a lack of motivation or interest in normal activities, and possibly lead to thoughts of suicide.

If you experience any of the above symptoms for more than 2 weeks, see your GP or healthcare professional. 

No matter what the weather’s like outside, it’s important to do activities that bring you joy and improve your overall sense of wellbeing, year-round. These activities might include:

• taking your lunch break at the park
• planning a walking meeting at work to get an extra dose of fresh air and sunshine
• booking a sunny escape in the middle of winter
• drinking plenty of cool water and seeking shade on hot days
• finding a cool escape, such as a trip to the movies, to avoid intense summer heat
• spending time in nature
• investing in a good raincoat to embrace the elements.

If you’re concerned about your mood, remember that help is always available.

If yours or someone else’s life is in danger, dial 000 immediately.

Lifeline Australia is a 24/7 crisis support service available online and over the phone on 13 11 14.

Beyond Blue offers 24/7 mental health information and support online and on the phone at 1300 224 636.

13YARN offers a national crisis support line for First Nations People on 13 92 76. The support line is available 24/7.

1800Respect is a 24/7 support service for people experiencing domestic violence. You can find support, counselling and information online or on the phone at 1800 737 732.

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports the mental health of parents and families online and on the phone at 1300 726 306.

MensLine is a counselling service for men. You can get 24/7 support online and on the phone at 1300 78 99 78.

QLife offers LGBTQIA+ peer support online and over the phone on 1800 184 527.