For us Brits the weather is a constant source of discussion and concern. This week has been particularly noticeable, with strong winds and heavy rain lashing the country. Instinctively one would assume such awful weather would make us glummer than usual. After all, many of us leave for work in the dark and return home at the end of the day in the dark as well. With an increasing percentage of us not taking a lunch break we can go days without ever seeing sunlight, which can't be good for our mood can it?
Some new research suggests that the impact of the weather on our mood varies considerably across the population. The researchers identified four main groups:
- The not bothered – Approximately 50% of people really don't care either way. The weather does not affect their mood whether for good or bad
- Sun worshipers – 15% of respondants however were real sun lovers, and their mood reflected this. On rainy days they were miserable for instance but perked up once the sun came out.
- Summer haters – The flip side is the group for whom sun made them grumpy. For them, a rainy day was all they needed to be happy.
- Rain haters – For this group, temperature was not a problem, but when the heavens opened their mood slumped. It's quite possible that they were cyclists but this was not confirmed by the research.
So this research might go some way to explaining why so much research suggests that weather does not impact upon our mood. The different preferences simply average themselves out.
Which group do you fall into? Does the current weather make you happy or sad?
Think I fall into group 4. Don't mind cold or warm weather, but rain just isn't nice.
So if most people aren't bothered, is the habit of moaning/commenting on the weather just a cultural thing?
Hi Nick, I suspect it's status as small talk topic of choice is largely a cultural thing. After all, it's something we all share isn't it?
As a life-long resident of Vancouver BC, I am mostly in the "not bothered" with a touch of "summer hater." The past week has been one of wind and rain here too. My back yard is essentially a giant puddle at this moment 🙂
You're the first summer hater I've come across Terry. Is it the heat you're not a fan of?
I sunburn rather easily so there is a nuisance factor associated with being out in the sun (putting sub block on, or finding long sleaved shirts, etc). I'm actually pretty good as far as heat tolerance goes.
Ah ok, fair enough. Sun burn is certainly no fun. Thankfully I'm not too bad with that. It'd make cycling a much less enjoyable experience.
I cycle quite a bit myself — just tend to wear long sleaved shirts and long pants, even in the summer. But I don't mind really.
I know the Scottish rider David Millar does a similar thing as he has some adverse reactions to sun as well. Doesn\’t seem to have slowed him up too much.