If this stretch of rain, rain and more rain is bringing you down — it’s not just you.
Rainy days can make people more susceptible to feeling blue, even lonely, experts say.
But rain falling from the sky doesn’t have to be a downer.
John Grohol, founder and CEO of Psych Central, an online resource run by mental health professionals, has reviewed various studies on weather and mood. And while many suggest a correlation, the weather's impact on our mood may not be as great as we sometimes believe it to be, he said.
A 2011 Dutch study of 415 adolescents found that half weren’t really impacted much at all by changes in the weather, while the other half were, he said. Whether people in the study were impacted by weather can depend on a person’s weather personality type. In the study, 9 percent described themselves as “rain haters” — angrier and less happy on days with more precipitation.
In other words, some people are averse to rain, while others take it in stride. Then again, some people are more sensitive to weather changes, and not just rain, but extreme heat or cold.
For those rain haters, brace yourselves for a soggy, dreary and dark week. Rain began falling Wednesday morning, and it's not expected to stop for several days, according to Channel 2 Action News. Thursday has an 80 percent chance of rain, followed by a 70 percent chance on Friday. Even this weekend could be wet with a 60 percent chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday. You can go to Channel 2 Action News for weather updates.
If the rains force you to be cooped inside, Grohol, based in Massachusetts, suggests engaging in activities that make you feel joy, such as watching an upbeat movie, playing a board game, or reading a book.
“People need to try and keep in mind weather is variable and whatever the weather might be right now or even the whole week, this is a short period of time all things considered,” he said. “It’s good to try and keep things in perspective.”
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Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
If you want to look on the bright side, the rain is helping keep pollen levels down. Pollen fell from a high 108 particles per cubic meter of air Tuesday to a moderate 41 Wednesday, according to Channel 2.
The rain is also good for air quality. There have been multiple Code Orange smog alerts this month. A Code Orange alert means people with respiratory issues, older adults and children are at greater risk from exposure to the ozone.
Sure, you might have gotten soaked on Wednesday, but the color alert scale was green, signifying the air is clean.
Whitney Owens, a licensed professional counselor in Savannah at Water's Edge Counseling, said a spell of rain can be a good excuse to slow down.
“I would use the rain as an opportunity to kick back and rest and stop being so busy,” she said. “Use it as an opportunity to not go anywhere and just be home. Do arts and crafts, make a home-cooked meal, spend time with friends and family, take naps.”
WSB’s Severe Weather Team 2 is calling for rain and thunderstorms every day in its seven-day forecast, with lows in the 60s and highs in the 80s. To keep up with changes from day to day, go to wsbtv.com/weather or watch Channel 2 Action News.
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