How does the weather matter?

You can’t complain with these surroundings. 

I don't know about you, but I can be affected by the weather. As in, I can get a headache at low pressure and get scared at thunderstorms. But I can also feel it in my mood and my psyche. I haven't thought much about it before, but on Monday this week I really noticed it. So I had to google a bit. How is it with weather and people really?

What I found online was that different weather actually affects the body in different ways.

There are, for example, more positive ions in the air when there is low pressure. It's uncool and makes us humans a bit off balance. We work better with negative ions as these help the body a lot. Another thing that affects the body is light. The light conditions affect hormone production. Among other things, light slows down melatonin production. That is why it is easier to wake up in the summer than in the winter. I get more down in the winter, so I use a light therapy lamp. Brilliant thing!

Researchers also discuss a lot about vitamin D and depression. Some believe a lack of vitamin D makes you tired, down and lethargic. And some believe that the weather affects the psyche because we exercise less when the weather is bad. Here comes my Monday again!

There was a thunderstorm during the day while I was at work. I went to the gym straight after work and felt like I got in a good session. Somewhat more sweaty than usual, but that happens when it's muggy. What happened afterwards, however. I haven't experienced that very often. And that was what made me wonder about this thing about weather and psyche. Because I had to go to the store and deliver a package. In the queue inside, I felt a panic attack build up. Not a big one, I managed to stand in it just fine. But why did it come? And was it really a panic attack?

It wasn't really a situation where I felt scared or anxious. But I was hot and clammy after training and I had seen a police car sorting things out outside. Plus the air was a little thicker than usual because it was so muggy. Was this the reason?

(Before you read on. A little reminder. Positive ions are negative. Negative ions are positive.)

It may well happen. Because when there is low pressure, the amount of positive ions increases. These ions make us unwell. They can, among other things, increase blood pressure, reduce oxygen uptake and worsen pain. So when I was already feeling tired and clammy, the weather compounded this and made me unwell. So not necessarily a panic attack, but unwell and uncomfortable.

I also read about negative ions. They are the ones that flow in after the storm is over. They are the “Feel how fresh and clean the air is now!”, the good feeling everyone comment on after a real low pressure has hit.

Incidentally, there are more negative ions in the country than in the city.

So, now we finally know which is best, the country or the city?! The city! For those who were in doubt 😅

So if you need a pick-me-up, head out into the country after a real storm and enjoy the fresh air!

Lightning can be quite nice, but I don't like it. Here I was actually tough and dared to watch it long enough to film and take pictures.

Translated by Kari Boisvert