Weather: Can It Affect Your Mood?

On Health with Houston Methodist

Rainy day doldrums, sunny dispositions, winter blues — plenty of phrases suggest a link between weather and a person's mood. But how real is the connection? Can unpleasant conditions put you in a bad mood, a beautiful day in a good one? Why are some people more sensitive to the elements? And can past experiences with severe weather cause a kind of PTSD? We've got a jam-packed episode this week, covering everything from a psychologist's viewpoint on weather and mood to a high-profile weather expert's tips for preparing for hurricanes, flash-flooding and more.
Hosts: Zach Moore, Katie McCallum (interviewer)
Experts:

• Dr. William Orme, Psychologist
• Eric Berger, Founder of Space City Weather

Notable topics covered:

• What research says about weather’s effect on a person’s disposition
• The complexities of mood and why it’s rarely as simple as one thing
• Berger’s take on the worst weather month in Houston
• Seasonal affective disorder: When mood is definitely affected by the weather
• Can seasonal affective disorder happen in the summer?
• Dr. Orme’s tips for handling months of humidity and heat or cold and darkness
• The impact severe weather can have on mental health
• Tips for handling the stress and anxiety of severe weather
• Hurricane, flash-flooding, tornado, freeze: How to prepare in advance for a severe weather event

Links:

• Space City Weather: https://spacecityweather.com/

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