Definition Of Mood

If one were to pay close attention, he or she might notice that there tends to be happy people on sunny, warm days, and sad people on cold, rainy days. This is not uncommon, and it is a result of the recurring phenomenon that weather has an effect on one’s mood. For some people, they may never notice the weather’s influence on them at all. For many others, however, they are very aware of the fact that weather could be the deciding factor in what their mood will be like for an entire day. Weather can be hot, cold, rainy, snowy, stormy, icy, humid, and everything in between. There are also multiple different moods a person can have. What is interesting is that often times, these weather conditions and moods are connected. Certain weather conditions …show more content…
Merriam-Webster defines a mood as “a conscious state of mind or predominant emotion” (Definition of MOOD). Moods usually last longer than emotions, but are not permanent like personality traits. However, according to author Morty Lefkoe, “personality traits such as optimism and neuroticism predispose certain types of moods” (Lefkoe). People usually get in specific moods because of events or other stimuli that happen to them or around them. When these events take place, chemicals or hormones are released in one’s body, invoking a certain mood in him or her. Four main brain chemicals that humans have are serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, and norepinephrine. There are also closely related common hormones, like adrenaline, cortisol, and melatonin. UPMC Health says that, “Maintaining a balance in these brain chemicals and hormones is key to feeling a balanced mood” (Neurosurgery). Things happening in a person’s life can change the balance in these hormones, which causes him or her to feel a certain mood. For example, cortisol is released when someone is stressed. Weather is something that is happening around people, too, and it most certainly causes chemical and hormones to be released, and thus effects mood. More specifics on that will be discussed later. Overall, changes in the levels of chemicals and hormones in the human body are …show more content…
From late fall until mid-spring, one problem that many people deal with is a mood disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Since people are exposed to less sunlight during those months, “the body produces more melatonin, the hormone which makes you feel sleepy. And just as your body begins craving mid-day naps, your brain begins producing lower levels of serotonin — the neurotransmitter that affects mood, appetite, [and] sleep” (Bernstein). Therefore, people are likely to have different appetites, and be more sad and less energetic during the time of the year with less daylight. Contrastingly, being exposed to more sunlight “boost[s] serotonin, which elevates the mood” (Taylor), which explains why people tend to be happier on sunny days. Additionally, when the sunlight causes people to feel more positive and happy, it can also put them in a shopping mood-- “Researchers found that exposure to sunlight is associated with higher levels of spending” (Bernstein). Something that is probably less noticeable, rain can actually put people in a hungry mood. When serotonin levels drop on non-sunny, rainy days, it causes carbohydrate cravings to increase. Moreover, if one notices he or she is more aggressive or angry on a day with extreme weather, there is a reason for that, too: “Multiple studies over the past few decades have indicated that heat