Have you ever wondered why that first
There are a number of factors at play causing us to feel drowsy when it’s raining, but most have to do with the weather’s effect on how our bodies function.
How can the weather affect your sleep?
The UVA and UVB rays present in
Rainy weather, however, often comes paired with dark,
“Our ability to fall asleep or wake up is enhanced by our environment. If we’re used to falling asleep in complete darkness, it can be difficult to do so if there is any light in the room. Conversely, if we’re used to waking up when it’s light out, it can be difficult to do so if it’s dark, whether that’s due to changes in season or weather,” said Dr Darius Loghmanee, a sleep specialist at Advocate Christ Medical Center, in a
Additionally, the increased humidity during rainy weather can mean your body has to work harder to maintain a stable internal temperature through
Along with increased humidity, the barometric pressure is also affected by stormy conditions. Storms are usually accompanied by lower pressure, which reduces oxygen levels in the air. Although only minor, drowsiness can be a sign of oxygen deprivation.
Finally, it can be the sound of rain specifically that’s causing us to feel sleepy. Rain is a type of pink noise, which is similar to
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Conditions like
A leading treatment for SAD, and one that could also work to shake those rainy-day blues, is light therapy. While this can come in the form of prescribed sunbed sessions to increase UV exposure, for most it predominantly involves using a light therapy box that gives off a 10,000-lux light intensity.
Dr Michelle Drerup, Director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, told
While it may be the last thing you want to do on a sleep-filled rainy day, exercise is also a great way to shake off feelings of tiredness, as is staying hydrated with things other than coffee – sorry!
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The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.