Sunny Skies and Seasonal Slumps

The calming effects of rain drizzling outside the window, the cozy feeling when the snow starts to fall, or the sunny weather filling the air with joy. Throughout the seasons, some individuals start to feel different emotions depending on the weather outside – and not everyone has a positive reaction to certain types of weather.

According to houstonmedthodist.org, a study in 2005 shows that spring was linked to improving mood, and hotter weather was linked to people having lower moods in the summer.

Junior Cianna Zablon dislikes being outside due to her allergies and bugs – and she hates hot weather – but she still thinks there is a correlation between the weather and people's moods. "I think weather affects people's moods based on what they have associated with the weather, how the weather looks, and what it makes them feel. A darker sky will invoke the same feeling as a dreary or spooky movie set. Sunshine might remind them of summer or go to the beach," said Zablon. "Depending on how certain weather makes you feel, it can affect your mood more. Someone who loves the beach will like sunny weather more than someone who hates hot weather and being sweaty."

Other factors can impact people's moods towards certain seasons as well. Junior Molly MCurdy loves spending her time outdoors and plans to involve her future career with being outside. McCurdy's favorite weather is when it is warm outside because it lets her do the things she likes. "I like being outside when there's no school. When there is school, I can go home and go outside after being holed up inside all day. I'm also much more active in the summer because that's when cross country season is, and I get to see my friends," said McCurdy. "[It] makes me the happiest when it rains in the summer. I obviously don't like when it rains constantly, but once in a while, I think it's nice to sleep with my windows open when it's raining. It sounds nice and I love the occasional summer storm."

While some people have their favorite weather and positive feelings about it, others differ and have weather that they would rather not see. Senior Ryan Hernandez thinks that weather can help someone's mood just as much as it can hurt someone's mood. "My least favorite weather is rainy, dark weather because there is less sunshine and I have to stay inside," he said "People associate rain as a bad thing, and having more dim light definitely affects one's mood [because] It has a negative effect on mental health and physical health, said Hernandez. "Depending on how clear and bright it is outside helps affect how

happy and energetic I am. My ideal weather is a cool breeze with a few clouds and

shade because it is the perfect balance of cool and warm."

Whether hot or cold, rainy or sunny, what is going on outdoors often affects a person's internal feelings. "I think it's important for people to go outside because they are generally more active outdoors. It's also a good way to see friends and to have fun," said McCurdy. "I imagine I'm not the only person who gets a boost from being outside, so I think if everyone were outside more, there would be more good days."

Story by Sri Nattam