When it’s grey and gloomy outside, it can be hard to motivate yourself to do anything. Indeed, looking outside and seeing rain lashing against the window rarely puts people in a good mood, but can gloomy weather really brings us down? The answer, quite simply, is yes.
If you feel the onset of low mood on a dreary day, it’s not your imagination. Research has shown that when it’s dark and miserable outside, it has a negative effect on your mood and emotions. A lowering of moods during winter has apparently been recorded as far back as 1845. Now named seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the condition is a type of depression that happens to sufferers at certain times of the year — most notably autumn and winter.
So what can you do if your mood starts to drop when the weather outside is frightful? Here are 7 IDEAL ways to brighten your mood when it’s raining.
SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Rain negatively affects our social lives and according to experts, can risk leaving us feeling isolated, frustrated and downbeat. If it’s raining heavily and consistently, we’re more inclined to cancel plans to physically meet our friends and family, or have them cancel on us, which could leave to a less fulfilled social life.
Human contact is fundamental to our mental well-being; without it, a number of pathologies including depression and social anxiety can affect us. So next time it’s raining, make plans to meet up with your friends and family, somewhere safe, warm and indoors. Hypnotherapy for depression has also been shown to help with those trying to cope with low mood issues relating to seasonal changes.
GET IN THE KITCHEN
Speaking of spending time with friends, why not invite them over and cook up a storm. There are so many benefits to cooking for yourself and others; cooking is therapeutic and good for the soul as well as the taste buds. Moreover, preparing a meal for others makes us feel happy and connected, which does wonders for our mood. There’s also an element of self care in cooking. When you cook good food for yourself, you’re nourishing your mind and body and a sense of purpose and pride is restored.
LIGHT A CANDLE
Dips and deviations in mood because of the rain can potentially be addressed through the healing properties of smell. Simply lighting a candle or burning an essential oil is one way to transform your mood almost instantly; taking in an aroma can can affect you in 3-7 minutes, working on both an emotional and physical level.
Wondering what candle to burn? If you want a boost of energy and, erm, zest, the smell of citrus fruit has been shown to do this. Want to feel relaxed? Candles of jasmine and lavender offer a wonderfully soothing scent that have calming properties, perfect to help you unwind. Or if you want to invoke those feelings of the warmth and togetherness that come with festive period, the aroma of pine elicits those Christmassy emotions.
EXERCISE INDOORS
Did you know that rain can actually cause pain? We’re not joking. When it rains the reduction in atmospheric pressure means bodily fluids can move from blood vessels to tissues, causing pressure on the nerves and joints. This can lead to increased pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. The answer? Exercise more. Not only will your body thank you for it but, as mental health organisation Mind state, getting exercise is a contributor to sound mental health and can boost your mood no end.
If the rain really is appalling and you can’t face getting wet on the way to the gym or running outside, try an exercise DVD or simply climbing and descending the stairs repeatedly. Anything that gets the heart pumping indoors is better than wallowing around in inactivity-induced self pity.
GET COSY
If you’re going to light a candle you may as well go the whole hog and make your home as cosy as can be. Take a leaf out of the Dane’s book and embrace the concept of Hygge (or Mysig in Swedish). This is all about being kind to yourself, spending quality time, creating a sense of warmth and cosiness, enjoying little indulgences and taking pleasure in the simple things. As well as creating a cosy environment, do things that make you happy, such as having dinner with family, enjoying cake, relaxing in a hot bath with candles, or snuggling on the sofa with a good book and hot drink.
MAKE YOUR OWN GLOW
Natural daylight lamps extend exposure to light during the darker, rainy months and are a worthwhile investment, lifting your mood and providing mental and physical benefits that can counter Seasonal Affective Disorder. Studies have also shown that the warming and calming glow of a fire reduces blood pressure and stress levels, providing a quick-fix feel-good factor when it’s rainy and gloomy outside.
THINK OF RAIN DIFFERENTLY
Why not try looking at rain in a different, altogether brighter light? Sound therapists believe that the sound of rain has a healing, calming effect on us. As such, the sound of gentle rain can stir feelings of peace and tranquility and light rain can even lull you to sleep – science says so.
So instead of getting annoyed at the gloomy, miserable weather that usually goes hand-in-hand with precipitation, instead listen to the soothing sound of rain against the windows – embracing this downtime for a calmer, happier you. Or if you want to do something a little more active, why not pick up a sudoku. According to one study, the sound of rain can actually boost concentration and your arithmetic ability.