4 Tips for What to Do When the Weather Stirs Up the Feels
The weather has more of an effect on mood than people think! When the skies go gray and rain pours down it is often hard for people to emerge from their own cloudiness. The team at Havenly Counseling Collective has tips on what to do when the weather stirs up the feels!
1. Give Yourself Permission To Feel It
Joanne (OliveMe Counseling) says,
I get moody AF when the sky is gray. I used to judge myself as if I'm making up excuses for my feelings, but at this point I just came to terms with the fact that lighting, colors, and temperature have a direct impact on me as a Highly Sensitive Person. Better to work WITH (not against) how my body naturally is.
In the same way that animals hibernate in the winter season, I might just have days when I need to be more low-key. I give myself permission to be more internal, seeking creature comforts in solitude and not pushing myself to just "get over it". I'm more selective with my energy, time, and attention, and take on a more passive, receptive posture to balance out my usual active giver/doer stance.
2. Don’t Ignore It
Morgan (Morgan Hancock Therapy) says,
When the weather makes you feel down, this is the time to look at the feelings that come up. When we ignore our feelings, depressive symptoms can get worse. Write them in a journal, talk to a friend, etc. Spend some time trying to figure them out.
3. Lean Into It
Lorren (Lorren Siu Counseling) says,
When the weather has me deep in the feels, I like to go in one of two directions. The first is to lean into it: I get cozy, let myself be lazy, take some time to rest, and go into hibernation mode for a bit. The second is to push back: I plan something fun to do and don't let the weather stop me (remembering to be safe, of course), I get out there and have an adventure! Whether I push back or lean into it usually depends on my energy level. If I am feeling lower energy and lower mood, I will give myself the break of leaning into it. If I am restless with some pent-up energy and/or emotions I will likely take a more active stance and push back a bit. Both options can be life-giving for me if they are in line with my needs at that moment.
4. Go Outside
Josephine (Josephine Suh LCSW) says,
I have to confess - I'm the kind of person that thrives when the weather is poor. But if I think about my answer to this question, I'd say it helps to be on the lookout for the full experience of the senses without invalidating any of it. For example, the grey weather makes you feel crummy, true. AND does this steaming mug of hot chocolate also give you some pleasure? Allow yourself to feel the heaviness but don't stop there. Bad weather experience can be more complex and nuanced than when the weather is good.
I also paradoxically find it better for my mood to be outside in bad weather rather than to stay indoors all day. I think it might be some version of "Type II Fun" or the pain-pleasure seesaw by Anna Lembke. For example, I both like and don't like running in the rain. It's obviously miserable while you're doing it, but afterward my body feels more alive after connecting with nature and that hot shower/changing into comfy clothes after feels sooo much more satisfying. I get pleasure from looking forward to how good it's gonna feel after I've braved the elements and can stay cozy in my home.
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Learn more about all our therapists, or reach out directly below and get the care you need! Here are what each therapist specializes in:
Melinda Olsen (Inviterra Counseling)
Helping Millenials + Gen-Z’s learn to love themselves deeply using the Enneagram & Brainspotting
Joanne Kim (OliveMe Counseling)
Helping BIG Feelers create relationships where they matter, too using the Enneagram + Brainspotting
Lorren Siu
Helping Highly Sensitive Persons heal from attachment trauma and anxiety (Brainspotting)
Morgan Hancock
Helping High-achieving and People Pleasing Women & Athletes who are struggling with overwhelming anxiety, relationships, identity, and spiritual issues.
Bobbi Kyle Gutierrez (Elder Emo Therapy)
Helping young adults, couples, and teens make wiser decisions that actually move them closer to where they want to be, rather than being sucked into emotionally messy situations.
Josephine Suh
I specialize in the mental health issues you feel deep in your bones: grief, trauma, panic, depression, existential crises, loneliness and sudden explosions of emotion. I also have experience treating conditions where you don't feel much at all: dissociation, depersonalization, derealization, and emotional numbing.
I know all too well how much burnout plagues therapists and I want to help you protect yourself from it while also learning how to manage your money, so you can work smarter not harder.