Depression and Rain: Understanding the Connection

How Rains Affect Your Mental Health?

Are you feeling depressed in the rain? You might be experiencing monsoon mood swings. When the weather is dull, damp, rainy, and cloudy, it can dampen your mood. Researchers have identified various reasons behind this rainy season melancholia, which can arise from several apparent or underlying factors discussed below:

• Simply Sunlight Lovers but Not Depressed

Sometimes, people feel low in the rain, even without mental conditions. If you love outdoor activities and enjoy going out to meet friends or go on a vacation, then obviously, the sun will attract you, and the rain will deter you.

• Your Perception Matters

Another reason for feeling low in the rain could be your perception and outlook towards the weather. For instance, if you are from a desert region where there is an immense scarcity of water, you will enjoy the rain and feel happy when the downpours begin. Or if you are someone who loves sunny beaches and warm weather, you may find the rainy season quite depressing.

• Predisposition to Depression

When we talk about depression and rain, we are addressing a larger problem compared to the above reasons. People who have a pre-existing mental disorder or those already suffering from anxiety disorders and depression can experience a worsening of symptoms with the arrival of rain. Sunlight is the key source of vitamin D, and a lack of it can aggravate mental disorders like depression. The gloomy nature of a rainy day can lead to the onset of negative thoughts. This is a more severe problem because people who usually suffer from depression may become more depressed and might even engage in rash behaviour when it rains.

• Weather Phobia

Another condition that may explain the connection between depression and rain is weather phobia. This mental health condition can be very stressful for certain people who are scared of specific types of weather and have bad memories associated with this season. Rain and storms can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder in these individuals.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is another mental condition that causes depression upon seeing rainy weather and a cloudy sky. This kind of depression is intermittent with the changes in seasons and is often referred to as seasonal depression.

What Do Researchers Say?

Scientists and researchers have conducted studies on seasonal depression, associating hormonal changes in the body as the root cause. When your body is not exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period due to rain, the natural circadian rhythm is disrupted, making your digestive functions sluggish and leaving you fatigued. Exposure to warm sunlight regulates the levels of a vital hormone called serotonin, which is closely linked with feelings of happiness, calmness, and emotional contentment.

Tips to Cope

If you are easily depressed in rain, here are some tips that will help you cope:

• Indoor Exercises

Indoor exercises and other physical activities are a great way to divert yourself from depressive thoughts and put your body in an active mode rather than a sluggish one.

• Restorative Napping

If your mind and body are tired, you will never be in a good mood. So, make the rainy day an ideal opportunity to take rest through restorative napping.

• Step Out

The idea may sound weird to many, but yes, it works. Just grab your umbrella or raincoat and step out to declutter your mind by witnessing the beauty of nature in the rain and experiencing the cool breeze.

• Say ‘NO’ to Junk Food

It is common to crave those crispy chicken nuggets ordered from top food chain brands. But hold on. Eating junk food can be more damaging to your mental health. So, eat healthily in the rain.

• Cook a Dish You Always Wanted To

You might have longed to cook a dish you found in a recipe book long ago for yourself or your family. Do that on this rainy day. The idea is to keep yourself busy and away from monsoon melancholia.