Rain, Rain, go away?

If you’re anything like me, the sound and smell of rain are refreshing. It’s a joy to watch languid drops of rain slide across the glass windows and fall in not-so-even patterns on the dusty pavement. What’s not so fun is when the rains go on, and on, and on. For some, this might mean well-watered crops while for others, it’s simply large torrents of floods and using canoes where you once walked. For some, gloomy weather also has a direct effect on their mood, making their disposition as dark as the skies get and their gait like the lazy raindrop on the car windscreen. Okay, that’s one too many metaphors but I’m sure you catch my drift (all puns intended).

Naturally, rain, hail, snow, or whatever bad weather means to you causes people to slow down and get indoors for longer periods than they’d want to. With less sunlight and more alone time than they’d desire, people naturally get anxious, languid, or even depressed when the weather isn’t the usual sunshine and brightness that everyone loves. It seems very petty, but our moods and mental health are both affected very much by subtle changes in the weather, and being aware of this is crucial if we want to have better control of our well-being regardless of weather conditions. 

 

Why the mood change?

Some of us just get fed up with the boredom, and others get sad since they’re unable to do what they have planned out. Then there are those with a condition, which is rarely diagnosed especially in our parts of the world. Those with this condition tend to feel listless and unhappy for most or all of the day. Others report feeling very sluggish — even after cups of caffeine — and sleep longer than they usually would. These very normal people tend to lose interest in what they love to do on any other day.  In some extreme cases (especially when bad weather coupled with Covid) people have felt hopeless and guilty — probably a shoot-off from their prolonged spurts of inactivity — questioned their existence, and even attempted suicide. All these happen because of the cold and wet seasons (late fall, winter, or rainy seasons) setting in, and this condition is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or Seasonal Depression or Winter Depression.

Seasonal Affective Depression?

This is a condition that affects very normal people in a way that puts them in a depressive state due to changes in the season or weather. It usually occurs from the period of late fall to winter or in some cases, rainfall every year around the same time. It rarely ever happens during the summer or spring. This condition could result in many bad results including death, besides, it's still depression.

 

Symptoms of  SAD

Some typical signs that come with SAD include;

i. Anxiety

ii. Discontentment

iii. Loneliness

iv. Hopelessness

v. Fatigue

vi. Change in appetite

vii. Mood swings

viii. Insomnia

ix. Excess sleepiness

x. Weight gain

 

What to do?

The weather is very much beyond our control, at least for now, but our emotions should be within our scope of influence. Some people combat the uneasiness that unfavorable weather stirs by changing their perspective about the weather itself. Scandinavian countries have very little sunlight but are known to be amongst the happiest of people, and this is similar to their anecdotal philosophy: viewing the dark days as good days too. Of course, these countries have extensive social support systems through their government, while mental health isn’t at the top of Ghana’s priority list. But individually, we could go out of our way to support others through words, acts of kindness, and help during unfavorable weather. Generally, making other people feel good makes you, in turn, feel much better. It’s not a bad idea to speak to a physician or a doctor on Pharst Care too, who might recommend lifestyle changes, medication or help you through therapy (light therapy, cognitive behavorial therapy, or chronotherapy). 

 

Seasons change and emotions change with them, but by actively looking out for ourselves, being mindful of our emotional states, and seeking help when we need it, rain or shine, we’ll be fine! Do click this link to have access to Pharst Care’s wonderful features: app.pharst.care rain or shine, the Pharmacy is in your pocket.