How Weather Influences Our Mood: Guidance by Dr. Belkeis Altareb

Did you know that weather can impact our mood and well-being? Though it is true that sunshine increases our serotonin levels and can improve our mood while cold weather can have the opposite effect, with people feeling sluggish and down. 

Here in the UAE it should come to no surprise that many people want to escape the extreme heat and experience milder weather. It seems, however, that global warming is making many tempered climates hotter. If you find that the UAE is just too hot for your liking, do remember that it is short-lived. The hottest months of July and August will be met with the cooling down of fall.

With increased temperatures come impatience, irritability, agitation, aggression, and overall mood disturbances. Studies have shown that as the thermostat increases so do people’s levels of tolerance. Too hot and equally too cold temperatures impact different people differently. However, most people are the happiest when the temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). As the temperatures rise or fall, people’s moods change. A condition called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a kind of depression that sets in when the seasons change. For many people, colder seasons produce SAD; however, some experience SAD in hotter seasons.

During the summer heat, try to stay cool by enjoying indoor physical activities to stay active. Staying active will help improve your mood as well. Additionally, as most public spaces are air-conditioned, you can learn new skills by making reading a habit. Become a library member, check out some books, and dedicate time in your schedule for reading time. You can go online or your local bookstore to buy books as well. Another summertime activity that will help boost your mood is volunteering. Many local organizations need your skill set.

If you are not able to escape the summer heat, do not fret there are loads of learning awaiting your discovery. Approach the summer as your time to discover the UAE’s hidden treasures, learn a new language, and help others in need. If you have children, use the time to revise their lessons. Children need to know that summer vacation is not going away somewhere, it is doing different activities outside their normal schedule. For example, instead of getting up early to go to school as they do on a normal school day, their vacation day will be getting up early to go to the beach to pick up litter. While on vacation, we continue to live, learn, and grow.

If you are experiencing SAD or want to learn new interpersonal skills, then do call or Whatsapp us at: 04 529 5072.  We offer online and in-office consultations.