Welcome to Climatewire.org

This site offers insights into how climate can significantly affect one’s mood and behavior. This way, our readers can gain a better understanding of how people react depending on their environment – particularly, on climate. For our first feature article, we will provide you insights on the many ways in which climate can be influential to a person’s functionality, productivity, and overall performance throughout the day.

Does Climate Affect Human Behavior?

Yes, it does. People respond to their environment depending on their personalities. Some look forward to summer, while there are some who love being in a winter wonderland. There are some who love to dress up in summer clothes, while there are some who prefer to bundle up on coats and scarves.

There is nothing bizarre about these preferences. People are unique in their own ways; but generally speaking, the climate is a key factor in one’s mood and behavior.

The Warmth of the Sunshine

Studies had shown that the human body is more in-tune with sunlight and warm weather. In fact, scientists are starting to recognize the importance of sun exposure. This may be attributed to the fact that the warmth of the sun helps improve blood circulation which in turn gets the body well-conditioned.

When the body is conditioned, the mood also improves. One feels happier, more alive, and ready to face the day.   There is no denying the fact that summer is often associated with happiness. During the summer, people go to beaches to soak in the warmth of the sun.

Summer is also a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors and go hiking, camping, jogging, and have a wonderful picnic. You cannot do these activities when it is raining or snowing.

Why 7 out of 10 Individuals Prefer Warm Climate

Cary Cooper, a known psychologist from Manchester Business School, stated that summer or a warm climate also lightens one’s mood at work. Nice, warm weather allows employees to have some interaction with their co-workers. It also sets the mood for good conversations and cultivates a healthier working relationship.

Sunshine creates a happy and friendly mood for all. A sunshiney day can also help boost productivity. A lot of work can be accomplished during the warmer days because the body is conditioned due to better blood circulation. Did you know that improved blood circulation also conditions the muscles and promotes better metabolism? This means that the body is more relaxed and conditioned to go through the days work.

Aside from boosting the mood and improving blood circulation in the body, a warmer environment also encourages people to move more, get active and sweat it out. Exercises and active movements stimulate the release of body endorphins which are considered as “happy hormones”. Endorphins also serve as natural painkillers in the body. Now you know why people who sweat it out, exercise, and engage in physical activities feel better and generally are in a good mood.

Sun exposure also enables the body to release another “happy hormone” known as serotonin. This explains why the great outdoors and sunshine make people happier and puts them in a better mood. How would the body release serotonin when it’s raining or snowing? Sunlight is crucial to the body’s release of this happy hormone.

So the next time you want to feel happier and more positive about life, get some sunshine – and let serotonin do its wonders. Now that we all understand the effects of a warm climate on human behavior, it is time to shed some light on what the cold weather can do.

Can Rainy Days and Cold Weather Really Get You Down?

Rumor has it, or as the familiar song implies, rainy days can get people down. Have you ever felt that as the rain pours down, so does your mood?   Tecsia Evans PhD, a psychologist from San Francisco, states that when it starts to rain, and it gets all dark and dreary outside, a lot of people tend to feel down. She has proven this in her years of practice.

This explains why rain is associated with tears, sadness, and grief. When it rains, there is somewhat a feeling of helplessness and limitations. However, this is just a general idea some people had known for years. There are still some who gets happy and elated at the sight of rain.

Even so, rainy and cold days can actually be classified as lazy days when you would want to stay in bed, snuggle up in your blanket, and read a good book, or binge-watch on television. True to this common belief, rainy or colder days can actually limit one’s productivity. This climate can set the perfect mood for longer hours of sleep, an excuse not to jog or work out, and just get through a lazy day.

At the end of the day, there is this feeling of regret for not being able to accomplish anything, a sinking feeling of sluggishness and laziness that flows through your body. The cold climate also tenses the muscles. It is actually the body’s response to fight off feeling cold. When the muscles are tensed, the body does not feel relaxed. Moreover, blood circulation slows down and leads to body deconditioning.

The So-Called “Winter Blues”

One interesting fact about winter days or cold climate is how it can have a serious impact on a person’s well-being. A condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is used by Dr. Normal Rosenthal of Georgetown University to define the “winter blues”.

This is the feeling of loneliness, helplessness, and grief when a person is forced to stay indoors due to the cold climate. It is much like a condition triggered by the deprivation of sunlight. Winter Blues come in different forms. Sometimes, it could manifest as a sinking feeling of depression and helplessness for some or an intense form of loneliness for others.

This is perhaps one of the reasons why cold climates are often associated with sadness and limitations while warm climates are known for brighter, happier, and more positive days.

A Strong Link Between Climate and Human Behavior

Needless to say, the climate or weather has a direct impact on human behavior. It can significantly affect one’s mood, behavior, and general outlook on life. While people have different preferences when it comes to climate (and no two people are the same), there is scientific evidence that supports the crucial role of warm sunlight to a person’s health and well-being.

We all have bad days.

But it does not necessarily mean that there won’t be good days up ahead. It is all in how we face life and its different phases. Just like the changing of the seasons, our lives can always change for the better. It is all in how we face each day and how we view the world regardless of the climate. It’s all about our attitude.

The climate can indeed affect our mood and behavior. However, with the right attitude, we can get past each day with a sense of fulfillment and a lot of positive attitudes. Sometimes, we all just have to fight through some bad days. In this case – a bad climate. So don’t let the rain get you down. Fight for your own sunshine. Develop that good attitude both during the warm and cold climate.