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Does Weather Influence Our Brain?

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • Jun 20, 2019
  • 3 min read


As I sit here listening to the rain falling on the roof – I am about to go nuts! It feels like we live in the rain forest right now. The last 21/24 weekends we have had rain. My granddaughter has had more softball games cancelled than she has played. My brain is not adjusting to this wet mess. There – off my chest!

My experience is not unusual. It is widely known that weather can strongly influence our mood and productivity. There are people who suffer from SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. Anyone who goes through a winter with little sunlight can attest to the fact that this is hard. No wonder there are so many songs about the sun and spring!


High Temperature/High Humidity: Impaired Mental Performance

Scientific studies have revealed that high temperature/high humidity can impair mental performance by affecting brain neurochemistry. It is believed that thermal stress can cause cognitive impairment. Research on this was done on soldiers spending at least one year of service in desert conditions The evaluation of memory and cognitive functions indicated that there is a decline in cognitive performance in hot climates. The cognitive decline was most pronounced for attention, concentration, verbal memory and psychomotor performance.


Cognitive Functions in Cold Weather

Studies of cognitive function in cold weather have revealed both improvements and impairments. One study investigated the impact of exposure to the cold and the following rewarming on working memory and executive function. The results showed a decline in the tests results when the participant was exposed to 10 degrees C. These impairments lasted through one hour of rewarming. There were no definitive findings, but the acute vascular changes could explain the observed changes. Other studies suggest that winter helps to wake up our mind and makes us think more clearly.


Weather and Memory

Studies have shown that weather affects our mood, but there are also studies that weather affects our memory. An Australian researcher, Joseph Forgas, found that people remembered better during bad weather or when they were not in the best of moods. When the weather is bad you experience a drop in your mood and then are more likely to focus deeper on the things around you. You become more sensitive to your environment and then are able to remember things better. Nice and sunny, happy mood – you are less likely to focus on the task at hand.

I still vote for sunny and happy!


Weather and Productivity

Sun has either a positive or negative affect on productivity. Sunshine induces alertness: Bright light helps keep employees’ brains awake, alert and attentive. Or, some employees experience distractions from gazing out the window at blue skies and bright sunshine.

Cloudy weather reduces motivation. However, it does produce fewer instances for distraction. Employees complaining that they are tired increases on cloudy days. The lack of sunshine and darker workspaces signals the brain to relax and start winding down for the day.

Old weather increases productivity. When it is cold outside you move a little faster. But when your body gets too cold, it can stop productivity altogether.

Heat slows you down. Heat is a common culprit for decreased productivity. It requires more physical demand from your body to move when an internal body temperature rises.

The weather does affect productivity, concentration and efficiency. An ideal way to combat the effects of decreased productivity is to use creative solutions to increase brain focus. As long as your brain remains focused on a task-list, it is difficult to force it to wander.


References:

Can Weather Affect Your Memory? (January 16, 2018). Retrieved May 8, 2019 from https://www.brainscape.com/blog/2011/08/can-weather-affect-your-memory/


Parfitt, S. (February 22,2017). From sunshine to rain: how weather affects your productivity. Retrieved June 16, 2019 from https://www.business.com/articles/how-the-weather-affects-your-productivity/


Wlassoff, V. (June 18, 2018). How weather influences the brain? BrainBlogger http://www.printfriendly.com/print/?source=site&url=/2018/06/18/how-weather-influences-the-brain/

 
 
 

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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