Monsoon blues: Why you feel low and how to fight back | Fusion - WeRIndia

Monsoon isn’t always the cosy, happy season people imagine. For many, the constant rain and gloomy skies bring feelings of sadness, anxiety, and fatigue.

If you’ve been feeling unusually down during the rainy days, it’s not just in your head. Here’s why monsoon affects your mood, and what you can do about it.

First, reduced sunlight during monsoon lowers serotonin, the hormone that keeps you calm and happy. This drop can make you feel irritable and tired, similar to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is common in colder places but also hits India during dark, rainy spells.

Second, the cloudy weather confuses your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Without clear day-night cues, you may wake up exhausted despite enough sleep. This disrupts emotional balance and focus.

Third, high humidity worsens anxiety symptoms. That sticky, heavy feeling makes breathing and moving uncomfortable, increasing restlessness or panic for many.

Fourth, being stuck indoors due to rain reduces social interaction. This isolation can deepen feelings of loneliness and depression, especially for those who thrive on regular social contact.

Fifth, monsoon cravings for fried snacks and sweet chai spike blood sugar, causing energy highs followed by crashes. These mood swings add to mental fatigue and irritability.

Sixth, the slow, rainy atmosphere often triggers emotional sensitivity. Past memories or grief may resurface, making you feel more vulnerable.

Lastly, less sunlight means vitamin D deficiency, linked to depression, fatigue, and weak immunity. This worsens your mental and physical state during the monsoon.

To feel better, brighten your room with artificial lights or lamps. Step outside when the rain pauses.

Keep active indoors with yoga or dance. Include vitamin D-rich foods like eggs, fish, and fortified cereals in your diet. And most importantly, share your feelings with friends or a therapist.

Monsoon affects your brain and body deeply, but simple changes can help you regain balance, even on the gloomiest days.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on June 07,2020

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1616343