What are mood swings during monsoon and how can you overcome them?

Whether it’s the lack of sunlight, the disruption of daily activities due to rain or the constant humidity, monsoons can often be a gloomy time for many of us. If you’re someone who suffers from low moods and lethargy during the rains, it’s not just your imagination! The change in weather can lead to mood swings during monsoons, especially for people with a history of mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

According to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric ResearchPeople are more likely to report symptoms of depression when the weather is cloudy or rainy. However, while rain can lead to a monsoon mood, it is unlikely to actually cause depression. Read on to understand the reason behind your monsoon mood swings and how you can feel better.

What are mood swings during monsoon?

Sunlight gives us energy and activates us to get up and do our daily activities. Usually with prolonged rainfall is circadian rhythm which is activated by the sunlight and also our internal hormone, melatonin. This gets disrupted which leads to changes in mood which can also be categorized as mood swings, explains psychologist Rashi Agarwal.

Monsoons can also lead to seasonal depression, which is when a person experiences depressive symptoms during certain parts of the year, usually on cold and wet days. A study published by the University of Groningen states that less sunlight and a drop in serotonin levels can lead to symptoms of depression or mood swings. However, you don’t have to be seasonally depressed for rain to affect your mood. Rain can often leave you feeling demotivated or lacking energy.

What causes mood swings during monsoon?

Rain alone is not responsible for ruining your mood, but the circumstances caused by rain can make you fall. Read on to know why we feel sad during rain:

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1. Less sunlight

While rain can provide relief from the scorching sun, it can also answer the question, “why do I feel depressed during the rain?” A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives suggests that sunlight is essential for regulating serotonin levels. This is converted into melatonin when we sleep. However, cloudy days often block the sun’s rays, and this can disrupt serotonin levels. You may also not be able to sleep well, and this can affect your mood.

2. Vitamin D deficiency

Sunlight and vitamin D are very important for our daily activities. Rain can hinder the intake of sunlight, and this can also lead to vitamin D deficiency, by staying indoors for long periods of time. Low vitamin D levels are associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, this study, published in Springer Nature.

3. Less physical activities

While sitting on your couch watching the rain fall sounds very relaxing, boredom can also strike. A study published in Transitional psychiatry suggests that sedentary behavior may increase the risk of depression. Not only is it tough to work outside in the rain, but it also seems to make you lazier inside.

4. Insulation

Many daily activities, such as going out and socializing, are disrupted during the monsoon rains. This leaves people confined to their homes and unable to meet their loved ones. It also makes them depressed.

5. Other reasons

Some people may also associate negative experiences with rainfall, as in many areas there are past experiences with flooding, water damage and water ingress into the home. “This can often lead to increased stress and ultimately to overthinking and negative thinking, which leads to depression,” Agarwal explains. Many people again have a fear of lightning and thunderstorms, which can be primary or associated with negative experiences in the past, further exacerbating this fear and discomfort during this season.

What is monsoon depression?

Wondering if your case of monsoon mood swings is the same as monsoon depression? Monsoon depression is not a formal term. It is somewhat related to the mood swings and general feeling of not being excited or wanting to stay indoors or just being lazy or lethargic during this time. Although this condition is not clinically recognized, the symptoms mirror those of depression. “People often experience that the gloomy weather suddenly makes them feel sad and they are unable to do the activities that they had planned earlier. They are unable to do things that make them happy and in some cases, they are also unable to sleep properly,” says Agarwal. Not being able to plan the day, not eating properly and even being generally irritable or sometimes even sad, crying; these are the symptoms of monsoon depression if they last for more than two weeks.

It is important to know that people with a history of depression in their own family or in their past are more likely to develop a new episode during this monsoon.

How do I get rid of mood swings during monsoon?

There are a few ways you can feel better during the rain:

1. Physical activity

Lots of good physical activity should do the trick! Try to spend 15 to 20 minutes of your time every day working out. This will make you happier. A study published in Current reports on sports medicinesuggests that exercise improves mood and may also be used as a treatment for depression.

2. Sleep well

A good night’s sleep is essential to your happiness. Make sure you stick to a sleep schedule and try to get outside when it’s sunny to get enough vitamin D. This can also keep you in a better mood. Lack of sleep can affect your mood, says this study published by the National Institutes of Health.

3. Connecting with others

It is a good idea to meet up with people close to you during this time. If meeting up is not possible, connecting with your family and friends via phone calls or video chat can also improve your mood and make you feel better.

4. Light therapy

There are many light sources that emit similar wavelengths to those of the sun. That is why many people are also prescribed solar lamps. A study published in The Einstein Quarterly journal of biology and medicinesuggests light therapy as a treatment for seasonal depression.

Other things, like keeping a journal, following a regular schedule, and following a hop diet, can also make you feel better.

Resume

The rains can often make you feel sad and lonely. Mood swings during monsoon are common and can be treated. Sticking to a schedule, whether it is sunny or gloomy outside, waking up at a certain time, doing your daily household chores, doing physical activities, eating a balanced diet and sleeping well can help you feel better.