How does the weather affect your mood?

[Blue-Jay]

I'll be the first to admit that I suffer from S.A.D. during the winter months. February is especially brutal; the shortest month has always seemed like the longest month in my head. Since the beginning of Spring (in Chicago) I've had to put up with rain, freezing temperatures, snow (LAST WEEKEND!), and generally crappy, un-springlike weather. I didn't realize that it mattered until today.

Today.

Oh! today was wonderful. It was still "jacket weather", but the sun finally showed up. After a brief lunch I took a walk down the Magnificent Mile and found myself smiling and talking to strangers. I was happier at work, I was nicer to my coworkers, I had a goddamned stupid smile on my face all day, and I. Was. Me. Damn, that felt good.

It didn't dawn on me what had happened until I got home and realized that I was singing "Fly Me To The Moon". Why was I so happy as opposed to yesterday? Blue skies and sunshine.

Spring is starting late in Chicago, and I couldn't be happier. Life is full and life is good.

[blue neen]

1. It doesn't really affect me too much

unless winter drags on too long, like it did this year. Enough is enough!

[Abelman]

2. I know exactly what you are talking about

Especially my past winter, my first in AK. I found it very difficult to stay awake and to get up. My internal clock was very messed up. Perpetual night is no fun.

Next year, I am getting a daylight spectrum lamp for my room. I hope it will help me out.

[Floogeldy]

3. I've had two really bad allergy days

:cry:

And I don't like pills.

:cry:

[Left Is Write]

4. Rainy, stormy, or snowy days make me feel more homey and domestic.

Glorious sunny days make me feel more energetic and extroverted.

[patricia92243]

5. Yes. I just found out that I have SAD. Now, looking back on it, I realize

that it had been comeing on for several years - getting worse each year.

When I realized that SAD is what I have, I bought a lamp for light treatment. I don't know why I got it now (last week). I want need it til next winter.

What I fear is that the light treatment won't work and I will be back into the SAD affliction this winter.

Now that I've "seen the promised land" of how much better I feel, the thought of getting back in that shape is terrifying.:scared:

[kitkatrose]

6. See, I'm just about the opposite.

Sunny days either don't bother me, or make me really cranky. Rainy or overcast days are just perfect, with a little bit of breeze. Unless it's cold, in which case, you don't want to be near me. :)

[nytemare]

7. I get really pissy during very hot days

When it rains, I want to read.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

8. Sunshine makes me feel really sleepy.

I think it's some sort of aftereffect of having had to get up early for school for so long.

I adore our Chicago weather (except in late june, july and august when it's like hell's oven).

Sorry about your SAD though...glad you're feeling better.

[SOteric]

9. It rains quite a bit in Seattle, but here

the rain isn't usually the drenching that it is in other parts of the country. It's like a dense grey mist that pervasively dampens and chills the environment.

If a person suffered from SAD, this would not be a good place to live. But I actually groove on the rain, the glossy pavement, the smell of damp earth and wet pine and the sea. The rain and overcast skies seem like a soft blanket under which one can nuzzle.

Seeing the day dawn wet puts a smile on my face and a bounce in my step.