Our bodies are a crazy thing and can be affected (in positive and negative ways) by a lot of our environment and surroundings in life. And one thing that you may be surprised to know actually has an influence on our bodies, mood and mind is actually the weather. In fact, there is such a wide variety of things that the weather does to us, that there is actually a scientific study devoted to it, which is called biometeorology. This group of scientists look at why and how the weather affects living things in a number of different ways from our actually bodies and physiology, our mind and how we feel about the world and our mood.
(source: mfri.pref.yamanashi.jp)
In terms of the weather’s effect on our bodies, it actually comes into play fairly often. One way the weather can influence of bodies is by lowering and raising our blood pressure. When the atmospheric pressure decreases, so does your blood pressure. As a result, most people’s blood pressure will actually appear to be lower during the summer. Also, joint pain can sometimes be a predictor of when a storm is coming, as joint pain is often known to occur as a result in quick changes in barometric pressure.
In terms of our mood, the weather also has the potential to make us happy, sad or any other emotion out there. When it comes to the mood, the sunlight is one of the biggest influences day in and day out. On nice and sunny days (because of the vitamin D), we feel happier and more energetic. And on the contrary, on cloudy and overcast days, the lack of vitamin D from the sun can make us feel lazy, sad and depressed.
(source: goodbelly.com)
And, according to a University of Michigan study, time outside during good weather can lead to improved memory, creativity and a number of other cognitive benefits. So the next time you are feeling like a little mental boost, a nice half hour walk through the park on a beautiful day can be just what the doctor ordered.