Nice weather on the weekend and only rain ahead: what effect has a large weather change on our mental and physical health and what can we do about it?
“The changes in the weather now probably have no impact on our physical health,” says Janet Boekhout, health psychologist at the Open University. “They are not extreme weather conditions.”
Yet the way we experience the weather mentally can have quite an influence on our physical health, Boekhout thinks. “Maybe you are very happy on your vacation and go to the beach every day, but it turns out to be raining every day.”
“Then the bad weather stands in the way of your plans. It differs per individual how you then deal with this. Where one can quickly adjust his plans and, for example, decides to renovate the house, another person will be more likely to do so.”
‘The weather is elusive’
Babette Bais, as a scientist specialized in light therapy, thinks that the complaints that play in the current weather image are mainly because we cannot influence the weather ourselves.
“It’s elusive, people like to control things. And if that doesn’t work, it can cause a disruption of your mental balance,” says Bais.
Boekhout: “If that lasts long enough, or there are more problems that you feel that you cannot solve, stress can arise. And stress persists for a long time, then that can lead to physical problems.”
The clouds should not have an effect on your feelings
Apart from that there is also such a thing as a ‘seasonal affective disorder’. You will be bothered by that if you get a winter depression in the fall and winter. “This includes feelings of gloom, changes in mood and behavior and even depression.”
“You can be sensitive to it, but it usually doesn’t go that fast. A seasonal disorder does not occur in most cases only when there has been no sunlight for ages,” says Boekhout.
Walking in the morning can help
“Daylight comes in through your eyes and finds your way to your brain through your optic nerves,” Bais explains. In addition, sunlight is also absorbed by your skin to create vitamin D.
Good to know is that the effect of light lasts for a while. Because the weather was nice last week, it may well be that you still reap the benefits.
Renate van de Graef, nursing specialist GGZ at the light café (part of GGZE), tips the morning as the best time to go outside, whether it is dry or not. “That is the moment when your biological clock can be reset. By combining that with a walk, you at the same time lower the stress hormone in your blood.”
Nice weather on the weekend and only rain in sight: what effect does a major change in the weather have on our mental and physical health, and what can we do about it?
“The Changes in the Weather Are Now Unlikely to Have An Impact on Our Physical Health,” Says Janet Boekhout, A Health Psychologist at The Open University. “These are not extreme weather conditions.”
However, the way we mentally experience the weather can have an influence on our physical health, biscu wood believes. “Maybe you were really look forward to your vacation and going to the beach every day, but it turns out to rain every day.”
“Then the Bad Weather Gets in the way of your plans. It differs per individual how you deal with this. Where person person quickly adjusts their plans and decides to redecorate the house, for example, Another May be more disappointed.”
‘The Weather is Elusive’
Babette Bais, as a scientist Specialized in Light Therapy, Among Other Things, Thinks That the Complaints That Arise With The Current Weather Are Mainly Becoause We Cannot The Weather Ourselves.
“It is Elusive, People like to be in control. And if that Doesn’t work, it can cause a disruption to your mental balance,” Says Bais.
Boekhout: “If that lasts lung enough, or if there are more that you feel cannot be solved, stress can arise. And if stress persists for a long time, it can lead to physical problems.”
The Cloud Cover Should Not Affect Your Feelings
Apart from that, there is also Such a Thing as a ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’. You suffer from this if you get a winter depression in the fall and winter. “This includes Feelings of Gloom, Changes in Mood and Behavior, and Even Depression.”
“You may be sensitive to it, but it usual Doesn’tn’t Happen that quickly. A Seasonal Disorder Usually only manifests itself when there has been no sunlight for some time,” Says Boekhout.
Walking in the Morning Can Help
“Daylight Enters Through Your Eyes And Finds ITS WAY TO YOUR BRAIN VIA OTMIC NERVES,” Bais Explains. In Addition, Sunlight, there is also Absorbed by Your Skin to Produce Vitamin D.
Good to know is that the effect of light lasts for a while. Because the weather was nice last week, you May Still Be Reaping the Benefits.
Renate van de Graef, a psychiatric nurse specialist at the light café (part of GGZE), recommending the morning as the best time to go outside, Whether it is dry or not. “That is the moment when your biological clock can be reset. By combining that with a walk, you simultaneously lower the stress hormone in Your Blood.”