How the temperature outside the window affects our mental state

1. Cold temperatures help you sleep better

The ideal temperature for sleeping is only 15-20 degrees. When body temperature drops, it automatically prepares your brain to go into sleep mode. And vice versa — in a hot and humid climate, it is more difficult for our brain to do this. Therefore, with the onset of summer days, it becomes more difficult for some of us to fall asleep.

2. Our blood pressure goes down in summer

This is due to a general change in atmospheric pressure. Another reason is that at cold temperatures in winter and autumn, our blood vessels constrict, and this leads to a natural increase in blood pressure. No wonder so many of us feel so relieved in the spring.

3. In the heat we become more inventive

Psychologists at the University of Michigan have discovered an interesting pattern: in order for our winter-tired brain to work with renewed vigor, the amount of time spent outdoors is important. If you just look at the shining summer day from the office window, there will be no effect. It is a walk that helps to “reboot” the brain. Having plunged into a variety of smells and bright colors, we experience sensory joy, and our senses, tired over the winter from monotonous stimuli, finally get the opportunity to work in full force.¹.

4. Rain and humid air increase allergies

Many allergy sufferers, when they see blooming gardens, first of all check whether antihistamines are in place. And they dream that the rain will quickly beat the pollen and wash away the allergens flying in the air. But when it gets damp and thunderstorms begin, allergies can escalate, contrary to our belief that the air becomes cleaner after rain. The fact is that before the start of rain, the air masses begin to move: the wind rises, which raises pollen particles into the air, carrying it even where there are no flowering trees. So if your eyes are watery, and there are no sources of irritation nearby, it is quite possible that you are inhaling sweet clover and clover pollen from distant meadows at this moment.

5. Sunlight relieves depression

Seasonal depressions barely survive until warm sunny days. Those who, from the very first days of spring, spend at least 30 minutes daily on the street (always during the daytime), notice that they are in a good mood all day later. 30 minutes of daily sun exposure, according to research by psychologists from the University of Michigan, is especially necessary for those who are prone to seasonal depression.

For those who are prone to depression on summer days, it is good to change your schedule a bit and get up early. Remember: the more time you spend outside of artificial lighting, the more beneficial the effect of the sun on your mood. But it should be noted that depressive thoughts can return on sweltering days before a thunderstorm and days with high humidity.

6. In temperate climates, people are in a better mood.

It turns out that there are many studies on the effect of the temperature outside the window on our level of happiness and life satisfaction. However, not warm regions turned out to be ideal for life, as each of us would think, but countries with warmer than usual winters and cooler summers. Residents of such countries subjectively assess themselves as happy much more often than other residents (the study included residents of 67 countries). There is even such a thing as «the temperature of maximum happiness.» Japanese psychologist Yoshiro Tsutsui, having studied the average annual temperature in the city of Osaka (which ranges from plus 3 to plus 30), determined the temperature of happiness, which was … only plus 13. Although, perhaps, at this temperature spring just begins in Osaka? And, for example, the “temperature of happiness” for the average American is 22 degrees (+18 for those living in Michigan and +30 for residents of Texas).

7. Winter and cold temperatures can affect mental health

Seasonal affective disorder, directly related to the cold and dark months, affects 10 million Americans every year. Increased droughts have contributed to increased levels of anxiety. Fortunately, in spring the mood changes for almost everyone for the better. But with the onset of summer, changes in air temperature can bring more than just health benefits.

8. Extreme heat is bad for our brain.

In English, the hottest summer days are called «dog days». Dogs with their tongues hanging out, huddled in the shadows, immediately come to mind. Although this expression has been known since ancient times — then it denoted that period at the end of July, when the star Sirius from the constellation of the Dog rose in the sky before sunrise. The ancient Romans believed that she was a harbinger of disaster and were very careful these days. It is not out of place for us to do this, although for a different reason. During peak heat, our cardiovascular system is at risk: we experience dehydration and may be exposed to heat stroke on the way to work in transport. No need to be shy at this time to carry a bottle of water with you to take a sip, and even a can of thermal water, which you can sprinkle on your face if it gets bad.

9. The hotter it is outside, the greater the desire.

In Europe, the first hot month — June steadily bears fruit in March next year — in this month, according to statistics, there is a 10% jump in the birth rate. And this is explained by the fact that the level of testosterone and female hormones in warm weather increases. This needs to be used.

See more at Online Huffington Post.