“Rainy day blues.” “Sunny disposition.” “A face like thunder.” “Under the weather.” The English language is full of nods to the many ways weather can affect mood, energy, and even mental

functioning. Of course, your relationship to the environment likely isn’t so simple as “cold = bad” or “warm = good.” If you live in a desert climate, a chilly, breezy day could offer a nice

change of pace. Likewise, the hot, humid days of summer could feel downright miserable if you bike or walk to work. Personal preference also has much to do with how the weather affects you.

According to older research from 2011 that involved 497 adolescents and their mothers, people tend to fall into one of four categories: * SUMMER LOVERS: Your mood improves in warm and sunny

climate change can impact mental health. Effects of weather Weather can influence your mental health in many ways: MOOD The following weather conditions are associated with low and high mood

for most people: LOW MOOD HIGH MOOD low temperatures (below 50°F / 10°C) or high temperatures (above 70°F / 21°C) mid-range temperatures, usually between 50°F and 70°F (10°C and 21°C) high

humidity high atmospheric pressure and clear skies precipitation and fog sunlight ENERGY Typically, cold weather gives your body the signal to settle down and “hibernate,” resulting in less

energy during the winter months. Warmer temperatures can boost your energy along with your mood, but only up to the 70°F (21°C) threshold. After that, you may grow tired and feel the urge to

escape the heat. Sunlight also impacts energy: Light tells your circadian clock to stay awake, and darkness tells your brain it’s time to rest. In other words, long, bright days can

energize you. But on short or cloudy days, there’s less light to encourage you to stay awake, so you may feel groggier than usual. STRESS If you’ve ever gotten a tingly, uneasy feeling

before a storm, that was likely your body sensing a drop in atmospheric pressure. A 2019 animal study suggests drops in atmospheric pressure can activate the superior vestibular nucleus

(SVN), a part of your brain that controls balance and perception. This study involved mice, but humans also have an SVN. The study authors suggest SVN may rile up your body’s stress system

before a storm, making you feel on edge. Circulating stress hormones can also sensitize your nerve endings, which could be why some people get chronic pain flare-ups when the air pressure is

low. High temperatures can also increase stress levels. Older research suggests people tend to be more irritable, or even aggressive, during hotter months. Research from 2018 links higher

temperatures to increased agitation and anxiety. ABILITY TO THINK CLEARLY AND MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS Warm, sunny weather may affect brainpower by: * boosting your memory * helping you feel

more open to new information * improving inattentiveness, if you have ADHD Warm weather also tends to make people more tolerant of financial risk. If you find yourself making more impulsive

investments or purchases during hotter months, the weather may be one of the reasons why. It’s worth mentioning these effects only occur if you actually go outside. Simply looking out of the

window on a sunny day probably won’t have much impact. SUICIDE RISK Evidence suggests people are more likely to attempt suicide in the spring and early summer than any other season.

Researchers don’t know exactly why this pattern occurs, although they have a few theories: * More sunlight exposure and solar radiation may prompt a shift in neurotransmitter levels. *

Rapidly rising temperatures could trigger a mood episode, particularly for people with bipolar disorder. * High pollen counts may prompt inflammation in the brain and worsen mental health

symptoms. While weather changes alone likely won’t prompt someone to attempt suicide, it could serve as an additional trigger for someone already at risk. HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE? If

you’re thinking about suicide, know you’re not alone. You can get free, confidential support 24/7 from trained crisis counselors by dialing 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If

you prefer text-based support, just text “HOME” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. Who’s most vulnerable to changes in weather? For plenty of people, weather has only a trivial effect

on mental and physical health. However, for the 30% of people who live with meteoropathy, shifts in weather can cause symptoms like: * irritability * migraine * insomnia * trouble

concentrating * pain around old scars or injuries These symptoms disappear when the weather improves. Meteoropathy most commonly affects: * women * older adults * people with high levels of

the personality trait neuroticism * people who have a diagnosed mood disorder Meteoropathy isn’t a diagnosis in itself, but it can worsen mood symptoms. Weather also has an acknowledged role

in the following conditions: SEASONAL DEPRESSION Major depressive disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern, which you might know as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), refers to depression

symptoms that appear only during certain times of the year. Most people with this type of depression experience symptoms like sadness, sleepiness, and increased appetite during the fall and

winter months, but no symptoms in the spring and summer. But some people with seasonal depression have symptoms that follow the opposite pattern: The warm, sunny weather of spring and summer

triggers depression symptoms, and the colder winter months bring relief. Spring or summer depression symptoms may involve agitation, insomnia, and poor appetite, along with a low mood.

MAJOR DEPRESSION Major depression can occur at any time of year. That said, symptoms may show up more frequently during chillier weather. According to an Eastern European study of nearly

7000 participants, you’re more likely to have depression symptoms: * during November or December * when the temperature falls below 32°F (0°C) * when the wind speed is higher than on

previous days * if it snowed within the last 2 days BIPOLAR DISORDER Roughly 1 in 4 people with bipolar disorder report a seasonal pattern in their mood symptoms. Temperature seems to serve

as the key link between seasonality and bipolar symptoms. While study results vary, there’s some general consensus: Episodes of depression occur more frequently in winter, and episodes of

mania occur more frequently in spring and summer. Research from 2020 also suggests that among people with bipolar disorder, those with a history of suicide attempts tend to have greater

sensitivity to weather and more severe meteoropathy symptoms. Participants with a greater number of suicide attempts had higher scores on meteoropathy screening tests. The impact of climate

change Extreme weather impacts almost everyone, not just people prone to meteoropathy. According to a 2016 study, temperatures above 70°F (21°C) can: * decrease desirable emotions, like joy

* increase unwanted emotions, like anger * contribute to fatigue The study found that individuals in both mild climates and harsh climates had much the same reactions to heat exposure. To

put it another way, as climate change increases the number of hot days each year across the United States, moving to a cooler state probably won’t protect you. Research from 2017 has also

linked the rising temperatures of climate change to increasing levels of violence around the globe. As temperatures get hotter, stress, impulsivity, and aggression rise. Droughts and crop

shortages can also cause more competition for resources. Increased stress, aggression, and impulsivity may then play a part in more frequent collective violence, like riots and civil wars.

But they can also factor into interpersonal violence, which could include assault, homicide, or sexual assault. One theory suggests temperature changes that affect everyday activities can

heighten tension and contribute to interpersonal conflict, which can affect interactions with strangers, partners, and loved ones. EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS Climate change doesn’t only affect

temperatures. It has also increased the rate of extreme weather events (EWEs), such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. These events can disrupt your life significantly and may cause

mental health symptoms. According to a 2020 review including 17 studies where participants had experienced an EWE in the past 12 months, * 19.8% of the participants experienced symptoms of

anxiety * 21.4% of the participants experienced symptoms of depression * 30.4% of the participants experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Children’s mental health is

particularly vulnerable after EWEs. Up to 71% of child survivors of natural disasters develop post-traumatic stress symptoms. Even people not directly exposed to EWEs may feel anxious

hearing about them. For some people, the existential threat of climate change can cause a sense of dread and hopelessness called eco-anxiety. As climate change has accelerated, eco-anxiety

has become more common, especially among younger generations who will have to deal with the long-term effects. How to cope You can’t change the weather, but you can take steps to ease its

effects on your well-being. If you suspect you might be sensitive to weather changes, consider these tips: * Keep a mood journal so you can track how different weather patterns affect you. *

Monitor the weather forecast so you can prepare low-stress schedules for difficult days. * Stay inside during harsh weather. If your home doesn’t have heating or air conditioning, you may

want to visit your nearest emergency warming or cooling center. Meteoropathy typically lasts for a few days at most and will disappear once the weather improves. These symptoms can feel

annoying or uncomfortable, but they generally won’t completely derail your everyday routine. That said, it never hurts to check in with a healthcare professional if the weather seems to have

an ongoing impact on your mood. They can help rule out any underlying conditions and offer more guidance on treatment options. If any mental health symptoms you experience do last more than

a day or so, or keep you from doing the things you usually would, you may want to connect with a professional for more support. Here’s how to find the right therapist. If weather changes

seem to trigger mental health symptoms for you, potential treatment options might include: * FOR ECO-ANXIETY: ecotherapy, support groups * FOR MDD WITH A SEASONAL PATTERN: light therapy,

therapy, antidepressants * FOR MAJOR DEPRESSION: therapy, antidepressants * FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER: therapy, mood stabilizers, antidepressants Your care team can offer more guidance in finding

the right treatment for your needs. > FYI > Certain medications can make you more sensitive to weather changes. >  > For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors 

(SSRIs), a > common type of antidepressant, can raise your risk of dehydration > and heat stroke. People who take SSRIs are 17% more likely to get > hospitalized for heat-related 

illness than the general population. >  > If you have concerns about any potential side effects of your > medication, the clinician who prescribed it can answer your > questions 

and offer guidance on alternate treatment options. The bottom line While the weather has only a subtle impact on mood, energy, and cognition for many people, nearly a third of the population

is highly sensitive to atmospheric changes. What’s more, climate change has increased the frequency of extreme weather events, leaving more people vulnerable to PTSD, depression, and

anxiety related to natural disasters. Working with a therapist to address your symptoms can have benefits on a personal level — but large-scale efforts to combat climate change may do more

to help prevent weather-related traumas from happening in the first place. ------------------------- _Emily Swaim is a freelance health writer and editor who specializes in psychology. She

has a BA in English from Kenyon College and an MFA in writing from California College of the Arts. In 2021, she received her Board of Editors in Life Sciences (BELS) certification. You can

find more of her work on GoodTherapy, Verywell, Investopedia, Vox, and Insider. Find her on Twitter and LinkedIn._