Does Weather Affect Your Mood?

Is your mood influenced by weather?

I am clearly affected by rain — especially when it rains consistently for weeks as it has lately. And I know other people who are, too, so I thought I’d study why the extra precipitation alters the limbic system (emotional center) of the brain and review the research regarding mood and weather.

Studies that Link Mood and Weather

John Grohol, PsyD, founder and CEO of Psych Central, offers a great overview of the studies that exist on weather and mood. There is research that says weather has little to do with mood, he notes, but “the overall preponderance of evidence suggests that weather can have more than just ‘a little effect’ on you mood.”

Here are some of the studies Grohol presents.

The largest, published in 1974 in the journal Acta Paedopsychiatrica, involved 16,000 students in Basel City, Switzerland. In the study, 18 percent of the boys, and 29 percent of the girls, responded negatively to certain weather conditions, exhibiting symptoms of fatigue, dysphoric moods, irritability, and headaches.

In a small study published in 1984 in the British Journal of Psychology, a group of 24 men were studied over 11 days. It was determined that humidity, temperature, and hours of sunshine had the greatest effect on their mood. The finding on humidity was the most interesting to me. “High levels of humidity lowered scores on concentration while increasing reports of sleepiness,” the researchers wrote.

Finally, in a study published in Psychological Science in 2005, researchers followed 605 participants in three separate studies to determine the connection between mood and weather. They found that pleasant weather (a higher temperature or barometric pressure) was related to higher mood, better memory, and “broadened” cognitive style during the spring as subjects spent more time outside. The abstract states, “These results are consistent with findings on seasonal affective disorder, and suggest that pleasant weather improves mood and broadens cognition in the spring because people have been deprived of such weather during the winter.”

Warmer Isn’t Always Better

According to an analysis published in Emotion in 2008, much of the research indicates that warmer weather seems to bring cheerier moods.

But heat can also make people more aggressive.

In a study published in Science in 2013, researchers reported that as temperatures rose, the frequency of interpersonal violence increased by 4 percent, and intergroup conflicts by 14 percent. The same fluctuation in behavior occurred with extreme rainfall.

I’ve always found it curious why suicides spike in spring and summer. Isn’t that when depression is supposed to lift? Grohol mentions a comprehensive study review published in 2012 in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica that examined the literature on suicide seasonality between 1979 and 2009. As a group, the studies confirmed a seasonal pattern for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres: an increase in suicides during spring and early summer, and a decrease in autumn and winter months. In addition, the studies suggested that there is an especially strong pattern of suicide in the spring for men and older individuals, and for violent methods of suicide.

The “Happy Complex” of Spring

In my blog post about spring depression and anxiety, I offered a few theories as to why moods dip in April and May: change and transition (which is harder on some of us), hormone fluctuation as we adjust to more sunlight, allergies and toxins in the air, and perhaps the “happy complex”: Everyone else is humming as they work in their garden, delighted that spring has arrived — and you feel that pressure to be happy as well, which makes you even more, well, unhappy.

Some people feel left out of the social interaction that happens more in spring, too. Experts believe that more suicides happen in spring because the warmer weather provides a person with the extra energy to pursue a suicidal plan that they didn’t have the energy to pursue during the winter months.

Weather and the Highly Sensitive Person

Weather is going to affect you more if you are a highly-sensitive person, as defined by Elaine Aron, PhD, in her best-seller, The Highly Sensitive Person. If you answer yes to these and most of the questions on Aron’s website, you’re probably in the club, which holds 15 to 20 percent of human beings. Are you easily overwhelmed by bright lights and noise? Do you startle easily? Do other people’s moods influence you? Does caffeine have a great effect on you?

Research has indicated that hypersensitive people are genetically different from folks who have a normal degree of sensitivity. This might explain why the rain or cold or heat affects some of us much more than others, and why some people would thrive in a humid, hot climate, while others would wilt. Your response to weather would depend on your sensitivity type.

What’s Your Weather Personality Type?

In a study published in Emotion in 2011, researchers defined weather-reactivity types by linking self-reported daily moods across 30 days with objective weather data. They found that there were four distinct types of people when it comes to reactions to weather. As they wrote in the abstract:

The types were labeled Summer Lovers (better mood with warmer and sunnier weather), Unaffected (weak associations between weather and mood), Summer Haters (worse mood with warmer and sunnier weather), and Rain Haters (particularly bad mood on rainy days). In addition, intergenerational concordance effects were found for two of these types, suggesting that weather reactivity may run in the family.

I know my weather type. I’m a Summer Lover and a Rain Hater. Without question, I am also a highly sensitive person, which makes my mood very vulnerable to the changes in the weather.

All Rain Haters and highly sensitive types are welcome on my ark.

Join Project Hope & Beyond, the new depression community.

Originally posted on Sanity Break at Everyday Health.

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/06/02/does-weather-affect-your-mood/

Are Your Differences TOO Different or Just Right?

“Are we just too different?” This is a question many couples ask themselves as the initial high of romantic love wanes. Take Dorothy and Leah (fictional composites of couples I’ve seen in my private practice). They’ve been together for a year, living together for two months. Recently, Dorothy has started thinking she’s made a big mistake. Although she’s never felt more “at home” with someone, she and Leah are very different.

Dorothy enjoys outdoor sports like kayaking and biking whereas Leah likes indoor sports like cheering her favorite teams on a flat screen TV. Dorothy looks forward to gourmet meals whereas Leah prefers food that materializes from a box, bag or can. Dorothy gets excited by art museums and exotic travel whereas Leah swoons over YouTube videos and exotic travel down the imported food aisle of the local grocery store. In addition to these overt differences, these two women have widely diverging — even opposing — needs for touch, closeness, and emotional expression.

Wondering if differences are too divergent can eat away at a couple’s faith in their connection, stalling their ability to make a decision about whether to move forward or call it quits. As a couple steps out of their comfort zone into greater interdependence and commitment, fears of enmeshment or abandonment arise. The uncertainty and vulnerability that accompanies taking the next step in a relationship, such as moving in, getting engaged, getting married, or researching baby names — not necessarily in that order –can cause couples to seek answers, guarantees, clues to the future, and proof that their relationship either will — or won’t — work.

There’s no hard and fast way to assess whether differences are too different or workable. What matters more than actual differences is a couple’s capacity to honor one another as they are while being open to each other’s influence. Often, this balance between acceptance and a willingness to change takes time to achieve, but even a willingness to learn to honor each other’s differences can help a relationship grow resilient and flexible. A more predictive question than “Are we just too different?” might be “Can we tolerate each other’s differences while remaining curious about them?”

Over time, true, deep curiosity allows partners to learn more, understand more, and organically shift their perspectives. In a balanced relationship where power is shared and respect is mutual, heartfelt curiosity can help both members of a couple grow up into being more inclusive in their views, attitudes and behaviors. The Dorothys of the world learn to honor couch sitting and dinners from boxes and the Leahs of the world learn to appreciate gourmet food and art. More importantly, the Dorothys and Leahs of the world learn to stretch their comfort zones to understand, value and wholeheartedly attempt to meet their partners emotional needs.

Often, it’s the lack of true connection with a partner that can make differences between you and her (or him) feel like “deal breakers”. One way to build a stronger foundation is by learning to communicate with your partner in a way that allows both of you to express yourself without feeling judged. This can lead both of you to change and adapt your attitudes, relational approaches and behaviors willingly rather than out of a sense of obligation.

There are many books on simple communication strategies for couples and even just one of two sessions with a coach or therapist who specializes in effective communication can help you learn some basic (though not necessarily easy) practices such as reflective listening, using vulnerable vs. defensive language, and containment. Setting a timer, designating who is going to listen and who is going to talk for a few minutes, then switching roles, can help both partners express concerns less defensively. Try to just listen when you’re the listener so your partner feels safe speaking. Say “thank you for sharing” after your partner has finished. Share what touched you about what they revealed to reinforce the message that you care. Small adjustments to the way you speak, listen and respond can set the stage for deeper sharing and more honesty.

You’re bound to feel “too different” at some point in your relationship. It takes patience, curiosity and open communication to assess whether your differences are too different — or just right.

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/06/02/are-your-differences-too-different-or-just-right/

Best of Our Blogs: June 2, 2017

On a daily basis, your mind is flooded with activity. If it’s like mine, many of those thoughts are negative. It’s focusing on what you didn’t say, your failures, not to mention your thighs.

We’re often cognizant of our diet, but less conscious of the emotional food we’re digesting every day. Want an easy way to shift your mood? Simply switch the station.

Feed your mind with good for you thoughts. But don’t just think of it, feel it.

Remember how you felt when you went hiking with a friend, a child hugged you or sinked into a warm bath? Remember what it feels like to feel loved, at peace, and purposeful? Take several doses of that experience daily and you will feel better, instantly.

Where There Is Narcissism, There Will Be Anger
(Narcissism Meets Normalcy) – If you’re full of anger and don’t know why, this could explain where it comes from.

Why Daughters of Narcissists Are Drawn to Narcissistic Men (Daddy Issues, Part 3)
(Recovering from a Narcissist) – Catch yourself falling for the same guy? Your tendency to get involved in toxic relationships could have to do with your vulnerability to narcissistic men.

9 Things You Need to Do If You’re Involved With a Narcissist
(Knotted) – It’s the post you need to read if you’re stuck in relationship with a narcissistic person. Here’s how to take control in an out of a control situation.

Where We’ve Gone Wrong With Mindfulness
(Cultivating Contentment & Happiness) – Is your mindfulness practice missing this vital component?

Five Narcissistic Relationship Survival Tips
(The Recovery Expert) – You can heal from a narcissistic relationship. This will help.

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/06/02/best-of-our-blogs-june-2-2017/

High Schooled: “13 Reasons Why”

For once, that Netflix binge was productive.

13 Reasons Why is Netflix’s latest cult hit. The docuseries chronicles lead character’s Hannah’s descent into suicide. This is more than manufactured teenage angst; the Netflix hit dives into weighty topics like slut shaming, mental health, and suicide.

Not surprisingly, some parents have expressed dismay about the program’s controversial content. According to detractors, 13 Reasons Why glorifies suicide; it promotes self-destructive behavior.

I disagree. 13 Reasons Why is a critical look into high schools’ hidden tumult. For me, it provided a much-needed reality check on cyber-bullying and rape culture. And, sadly, our collective acquiescence to it.

While self-righteous parents express outrage over 13 Reasons Why, the more bothersome issue: society’s collective whitewashing of suicide ideation. Instead, we are preoccupied with underage drinking and texting and driving. As moralists sermonize about the proliferation of fake IDs, we dismiss suicide ideation with a damning casualness.   

“It is just a stage; you will grow out of it” are popular refrains to deep-rooted teenage angst. Why do we treat teenage mental health with a nonchalance more appropriate for the weekend’s Homecoming opponent?

I understand that mental health and suicide are squirm in your seat conversation topics. But suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 14 and the second among people ages 15 to 34. And what are our high schools doing to combat this epidemic? And, yes, epidemic is the appropriate word.

Here are some easy to implement ideas:

1) Create mental health safe spaces. Safe spaces are more than LGBT havens; they are retreats for any marginalized student to protect himself. While the LGBT community has popularized (and, arguably, co-opted) the term, why can’t high schools create safe spaces for anxious/depressed students? Here students can gather to discuss their shared trials and tributions: bullying, sex, parental expectations. And for our belittling generation decrying safe spaces (“kids nowadays are so spoiled”), today’s high school experience presents more challenges than ever before: social media prevalence, increasing selectivity of top-tier universities, greater income inequality.

2) Destigmatize mental health conversations. This means mainstreaming mental health discussions at the high school–however uncomfortable. And this means more–much more–than finding an engaging speaker well-versed in mental health topics. From teachers wearing safety pins (i.e. you can talk to me) to roving counselors specializing in mental health treatment to interactive classes on mental health management (yes, we can thankfully dump tech ed for a more practical class offering), the high school needs to be Ground Zero for mental health conversations. The challenge: engaging students on their terms. That guidance counselor? Instead of waiting for students to visit his stuffy administrative office, he needs to be on social media, reaching students via their communication methods. On Twitter, he could hashtag #BullyTheBully to encourage students to discuss mental health strategies; this easy act mainstreams mental health discussion at high schoolers’ level. The football coach? Instead of urging his players to “act responsibly” on those Friday nights following the big game, he brings in a rape victim to discuss rape culture and redefine masculinity. The lesson: Masculinity is more than scoring with the cheerleader; it is making sure the cheerleading beauty and her friends are protected from opportunistic predators.

13 Reasons Why casts an overdue spotlight on high school’s toxicity. Beneath the starry-eyed prom pictures, there are a torrent of issues threatening our kids’ mental health. For disbelieving adults, teenage angst is more than listening to Nirvana lyrics.  And, yes, it requires a more thoughtful response than, “Our teenager will grow out of it.”

Or that Netflix series was worthwhile.

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/06/01/high-schooled-13-reasons-why/

The Happiness You Want for Your Child May Not Be Real Happiness

At the slightest hint of unhappiness from a child, parents move to fix it — it’s a mental act, and it’s natural, human, and typical of us. Why would we rather watch our kids suffer when we can put a smile on their face? Ask most parents what they desire for their children, they will say, “I want my kids to be happy.” While our intention is valid, it sometimes becomes our obsession and influences how we interact with them and every decision we make to see them happy.

We tell them what we think and feel will make them happy, and give them every reason to believe us. We compel and often times “force” them to spend 20 or so years in school to get what we thought will make them happy. However, at this period, our children who we are still in talking terms will probably signal to us that the tank we stored the water in to make them happy had a leak — and perhaps a large one, to say the least. And if the “luck goddess” smiled on us, they’re among the 10 percenters of Americans who are happy with life and their career paths. If not, they’re one of the 90 percenters; you know their state, after all.

At this moment, we should ask: “What are we likely doing wrong?”

Take it or leave it, we should have rather done or be doing something easier and simpler than you think. Five basic life principles are all there is to keep us way ahead of the pack to bringing “true” happiness to our little ones. And what are they?

1. No two persons are mutually inclusive, neither is your child. Our dreams, configurations, and tastes differs as the North and South. There’s a high chance that your little one doesn’t “need” what you think is happiness.
2. You don’t get to choose/decide who your child is. No two humans have similar definitions.
3. Love your kid as a person and give them that reassurance. This is far more important.
4. You don’t have the control of your child’s happiness. The control is with them.
5. Instead of permutating them to become who they “should” be, help them discover who they are.

You Can’t Force Happiness for Your Kids

Let’s be clear: it’s crucial that we’re happy. Our happiness is essential and an incredibly powerful emotional state that we should strive to be in as often as possible.

But, the irony of happiness is that the more we seek it, the more elusive it is. Happiness is not a product we can find; rather it’s a byproduct that finds us. It shows up more and more when we develop a healthy perspective on life and base our lives on strong values. It’s the result of things we do for others — people outside of us. So would it be ideal for us to spend our time doing things that will bring temporary happiness to our children or reinforce them in perspectives and values that will always provide them happiness?

The way to go is teaching our kids things that sometimes are uncomfortable that lead happiness unto their path. While it’s natural that as parents we protect our children, defend them, and always give them things that make them feel good, we should understand that no child learns how to ride a bike unless we let go. Same way they never develop new skills unless we give them space and chance to get hurt. We need to let go to help them make age-appropriate decisions. However, when they make unwise decisions, it’s our duty to support and correct them; and when they make wise ones, we should show them how well they are doing.

As we’ve seen, the role of the parent is to guide and love and not enforce “happiness” on their little ones. Our function is to embrace them for being courageous to go through the process of making choices, notwithstanding how they do. This is how to love them for who they are. “The measure of a good parent is what he’s willing not to do for his child,” child psychologist, Haim Ginott writes.

Depriving Your Kids Could Mean Happiness

If you restrict the internet on your child’s phone or iPod, do you make them unhappier? Well, probably not. We could argue that your child is being taught the importance of self-control — a key value worth having if they want happiness, not living like the Jones but living life on their own terms. They may fuss about it (in fact, they will), but allowing them to have their way (so they can become happy) could mean unhappiness for them in the long run. Being aware of what could lead to unhappiness for our children and restricting it doesn’t mean we’re depriving them. As a parent, it’s essential that we understand the boundaries that distinguish what will give our kids happiness from what will not.

Laying the Matter to Rest

How dedicated are we to our children’s happiness? There is no doubt, every parent is truly dedicated to their children’s happiness. But in reality, what our children need for happiness can be counterintuitive. It can also require that we do things that are uncomfortable for us to ensure that they grow into happy adults. So ask yourself, “Are you ready to commit yourself to making yourself more uncomfortable so your child can be happier?”

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/06/01/the-happiness-you-want-for-your-child-may-not-be-real-happiness/

10 Ways to Come Back from Failure

If you’re like most of us, you detest failure. It’s one of the worst feelings possible to experience, let alone get past. Yet, some failures are inevitable, while others may be avoidable. How can you best prepare yourself to come back from failure, once it happens? Here are some suggestions.

Analyze what went wrong.

Maybe you didn’t adequately consider the amount of time, resources or other pertinent factors that affected the outcome. When things go wrong and failure is the result, there’s always a reason. Often, it’s a combination and not a single reason. To come back from failure, and as a first step in coping with failure, it’s important to take the time to figure out what went wrong, to analyze and dissect each step you took so that you won’t make the same mistakes again. This is a critical element in any plan to overcome the negative effects of failure, and one that you can’t afford to ignore.

Change your mindset.

Nobody likes to feel like a failure or go through an experience that results in failure. If the underlying reasons for the failure are yours, you must own up to your contribution to the result. Don’t dwell on failure, however. And learn to regard failure as something entirely different: an opportunity to learn. Granted, when failure happens, it doesn’t feel particularly good. The last thing on your mind is how much you’ve learned from it. Though it may be difficult, train yourself to look for the lessons in every failure. It’s by recognizing and making full use of these lessons that you’ll come back quicker from the failed experience.

Search your motives.

When you began the activity that ended in failure, what were your motives? Were you striving for personal gain at the expense of others? Did you manipulate, cajole, lie or avoid your responsibilities to get what you want? In your dealings with others, were you rude, inconsiderate, demanding, rigid or uncompromising? Your underlying motives play a big part in eventual success or failure of any action. By conducting a sincere self-search, you’ll uncover some painful revelations, yet this is the only way you’ll make progress in coming back from failure.

Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses.

The project flopped. You lost considerable money. Someone else got the promotion you felt you deserved. What do you do now, go and sulk or figure out a plan to get past this failure? A key step in the process is listing strengths and weaknesses. You need to know what you’re good at and where you need to shore up your weaknesses to ensure you don’t fall into the same trap again.

Develop a plan to build on what you’re good at.

Now that you have a list of your strengths laid out on paper, you can begin to construct a plan to build on your talents and abilities. What led to your past successes? By tapping into that wealth of positivity and looking for ways to capitalize on your strengths, you’ll be acting in a forthright and proactive manner. Your most recent failure won’t stand a chance against a solid plan to move forward.

Seek advice from trusted others.

Instead of feeling that you must go it alone, talk with others you trust and get their input. You may have a blind spot as to certain aspects of your character or are unable to see clearly what you did that resulted in failure. Friends, loved ones, family members, co-workers and others whose counsel you value will offer encouragement and support that can help you get through this rough time.

Begin something new.

This is not the time to stagnate and do nothing. It is, however, the time to get started on something new. Since you took the time to analyze your strengths and developed a plan to build upon them, use what you’ve learned to start a new project, get involved in an endeavor, make acquaintances, acquire knowledge and skills. The momentum inherent in beginning something new is a positive force that propels you forward, not looking back.

Stay busy.

Sitting around after a failure is never conducive to overall well-being. It also gets you nowhere. If you haven’t yet finalized a plan of action, this doesn’t mean you remain idle. Do something. Exercise. Visit with friends. Read a book. Clean out the garage. Work in the garden. Help a neighbor. By acting, doing things to stay busy, you’re being proactive, not reactive.

Never lose hope.

It’s tough to endure the sting of failure. If there was a miracle cure for failure, it would make millions, for everyone would line up to buy it. While there’s no single piece of advice or action that guarantees coming back after failure, the recommendation that you never lose hope is at the heart of overcoming failure. Hope is, after all, a powerful and life-affirming emotion. It fuels itself once fanned into flame. Keep hope alive and you’ll get past whatever failure you’ve experienced.

Envision success.

In addition to keeping hope alive, start seeing yourself succeeding in your new endeavors. Envisioning success is a great part of being successful. When you see yourself in that reality, being successful at what you undertake, your subconscious mind constructs avenues and paths for you to get there.

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/06/01/10-ways-to-come-back-from-failure/

Podcast: Anxiety Lies Constantly – How to Stop Listening

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome Jodi Aman, popular psychotherapist, anxiety expert, blogger, radio host, and author of You 1, Anxiety 0: Winning Your Life Back From Fear and Panic. Jodi explains how she cured herself of anxiety and shares great tips on how you can get control over your own anxiety and panic attacks. She also explains anxiety and panic in ways you might never have heard before, giving you a better understanding of what’s really going on.

 Listen as Our Hosts Speak with Anxiety Psychotherapist, Jodie Aman:

“Anxiety is telling us: ‘You’re a fool, you make bad decisions, you can’t do anything, it’s too hard.’ … It’s a bold-faced lie. Anxiety lies constantly.” ~ Jodi Aman

 

 

 

Find Jodi online:

• JodiAman.com
• Love Yourself Up TV
• Keep Calm in a Crazy World

About The Psych Central Show Podcast

The Psych Central Show is an interesting, in-depth weekly podcast that looks into all things mental health and psychology. Hosted by Gabe Howard and featuring Vincent M. Wales.

 

Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar and anxiety disorders. In addition to hosting The Psych Central Show, Gabe is an associate editor for PsychCentral.com. Gabe is a prolific writer and his work can be found all over the internet. He also runs an online Facebook community, The Positive Depression/Bipolar Happy Place, and invites you to join.  To work with Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

 

 

Vincent M. Wales is a former suicide prevention counselor who lives with persistent depressive disorder. In addition to co-hosting The Psych Central Show, Vincent is the author of several award-winning novels and the creator of costumed hero Dynamistress. Visit his websites at www.vincentmwales.com and www.dynamistress.com.

 

Previous episodes can be found at PsychCentral.com/Show.

 

 

from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/06/01/podcast-anxiety-lies-constantly-how-to-stop-listening/