Weather Really Does Affect Your Mood

Dreary Erie or Cheery Erie?

Originally published on April 10, 2017

It's springtime in Erie, which means the weather has many moods it goes through every single day. It could be sunny and 60 in the morning and 40 and nearly snowing at night. Wearing layers has become second nature for someone like me, who has classes in hot buildings and cold buildings, and despite hour-long classes I do not usually miss out on whatever small chance of rain occurs that day. One thing I've noticed is lately many of these days have been gray, overcast, maybe a slight drizzle, and not very warm. ("Dreary Erie", indeed.) Last week was like this, and this week seems to be going that way as well. And you know what I noticed? This dreary weather can affect your mood.

Professors noticed a change in our mood, commenting on how quiet we were. We noticed it amongst ourselves too. We just felt tired and not in the mood to do anything (we were halfway between breaks as well so it was a bit of a rut learning-wise). March is such an icky month anyway in the context of school, and add constant gray skies and no chance for shorts or outdoor classes: it's no wonder no one was in the mood for anything. There was one day that was warmer and sunny and immediately I noticed a change in the atmosphere around campus. I definitely felt a pep in my step. Even just a little bit of exposure to sunlight, the warm smell in the morning that immediately makes you think of spring, is enough to make you feel better.

The fact that weather is tied to mood is a real thing. There is a disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder, which usually occurs during the darker months of the year. Because there is less sunlight, your body creates more melatonin, which makes you tired. So having constant cloudy days will definitely affect people, even those who do not usually feel depressed or tired during the winter months. It's not just a week or two of gray that is bringing down our spirits. It is the beginning of spring, technically, and I believe in true Erie style it was hailed with some snow. Even though the days are getting longer, they are still not as long as they will be soon. People who regularly experience Seasonal Affective Disorder will continue to feel its effects, and even people who don't will benefit. Warmth, being in sunlight and getting vitamin D, and getting fresh air are all important things that will come naturally once the weather is nicer and improve our moods a great deal.

It's safe to say spring has sprung. We're not out of the snowy woods yet, but there's no chance it will stick for a long time. The nickname of Dreary Erie is well deserved. Before we know it, it will be too hot every day and we will be wishing it was snowy again.