Your Weight-Loss Enemy Might Actually Be the Weather: That Sudden Spike in Appetite Could Be Seasonal Depression at Work
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Summary
- Rainy, overcast weather reduces the amount of sunlight our bodies receive, which in turn causes a sharp drop in the secretion of serotonin, the chemical that regulates mood.
- Unlike typical depression, which often leads to loss of appetite, ârainy-season depressionâ can instead trigger a big increase in appetite and excessive sleepiness, and it is more likely to occur in women.
- If low mood leads you to neglect personal hygiene during the humid, muggy rainy season, it can easily result in fungal infections and other skin conditions.
- Experts recommend taking advantage of breaks in the rain to get more sun and keeping indoor spaces bright; if symptoms last for more than 2 weeks, you should seek help from a medical professional.
After days of nonstop rain and the occasional typhoon, have you been feeling unmotivated lately? Your alarm goes off in the morning, yet you still feel like you haven’t slept enough; by afternoon, you find yourself constantly searching through the snack cabinet, wondering whether you’ve entered hibernation early. If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms lately, don’t be so quick to blame yourself for a lack of willpower. They could very well be signs of weather-related “seasonal depression.”
Why do you especially crave food when it rains?
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When the sky is constantly gray outside, we naturally get far less sunlight. This can cause subtle changes in the body’s hormones. Most directly, levels of serotonin, known as the “happy hormone,” decrease, while melatonin, which regulates sleep, rises noticeably.
As one hormone rises and the other falls, our bodies unconsciously send strong signals that they need energy and rest.
How is rainy-season depression different from typical depression?
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It’s worth noting that this weather-induced seasonal low mood differs noticeably from typical depression in its clinical symptoms. People with depression often experience a loss of appetite and insomnia; rainy-season low moods, on the other hand, can make people sleepier and eat more. This is why many women may still experience similar cravings even after the days leading up to PMS have passed, making it easy to overlook the fact that these are actually distress signals from their emotions. Observations also suggest that women are relatively more likely to experience this.
Beyond weight gain, pay closer attention to your skin
A few extra bites of dessert may not seem like a big deal, but remaining in this low-energy state for a long time can also affect your daily self-care and hygiene habits. In hot, humid weather, failing to keep your body clean and dry can easily lead to troublesome skin conditions such as fungal infections. This is especially important to keep in mind during summer.
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4 everyday ways to get your energy back
Small adjustments to your daily routine can help you shake off this sluggish state. Experts recommend getting as much natural light as possible first thing after waking up each morning. If it’s rainy for several days in a row, turn your indoor lights up as bright as possible. Keeping a regular schedule and doing simple stretches or yoga indoors can also help your body reset.
The next time the rain stops and the sun comes out, try changing into something light and heading out for a walk. However, if this lack of energy has lasted for more than 2 weeks, be sure to seek an evaluation and help from a medical professional.
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