Weather can affect our moods. When it is sunny and warm we love spending time outside. The days are longer, we feel energised, and life is good. When it is too hot though, and too humid we feel exhausted, weary and ‘washed out.’ When it is rainy we may feel gloomy, dejected, and melancholy. When it is windy we feel cranky and out of sorts. Children are particularly sensitive to this. Just ask any teacher, child care worker or parent what it is like on cold wet and windy days.

Weather comes and goes in cycles. No surprises, it’s the same every twelve months. Each year starts off in summer. We enjoy the long warm days. Many of us have holidays. Then we move into autumn, the weather slowly cooling down, the days get shorter. Then winter arrives. Less warmth, less sun, less light, more rain, wind, cold and dreary weather. Like any cycle, just when we think we can not stand anymore cold and rain, spring starts. Longer daylight hours, more sun, warmth back in our days. We don’t all like the hot weather. Some of us prefer the cold. Some of us like extremes, others do not.

We are all different. Some of us appear calm and peaceful all the time. Others appear agitated, cranky, angry, on edge.  Some of us are sad, melancholy, depressed, others are happy and energetic. Most of us are a combination of these emotions and our moods change depending on a variety of factors. We all know that other people, work, words, lack of money, stress, ill health, abuse, continual dramas and similar can cause mood swings, anxiety, depression and all types of illness.

We are aware to varying degrees, that meditation, creativity, exercise and peace, joyous activities can help improve our moods, emotions, feelings and sense of wellbeing. We also know that worrying about all these things and stressing about how to do these things can cause more stress, anxiety and depression. Outside influences, addictions, lack of sleep, family or work situations, can all cause more anxiety. It can be a vicious cycle and hard to break. Especially if addictions of any kind are involved.

What we are now learning more about is how diet and changing eating habits can help. We all know that addictive substances like alcohol, cigarettes or stronger drugs, sugar, chocolate, coffee can all create the depression and anxiety that we think we have under control when using them. These substances keep us in the negative cycle, the cycle of dependencies. Some other foods also affect our moods. Bread or dairy for example, can affect our body and therefore our emotions. Processed food is another food that can cause us issues, allergies and pain.

It is not all bad news. Yes it can be confusing, annoying and even painful to work out which foods are best. Some of us are allergic to natural foods, fruits and vegetables. As a general rule, fresh is best and fresh fruit and vegetables will help lift our moods. If we have allergies we have to be aware and investigate alternatives. Natural therapies can also help with emotions. Essential oils, having read about them for years and now using them, I am excited about their many uses. I have heard many stories about using them to help and heal and range of ailments, including anxiety. These oils can be uplifting, calming, healing.

We can not change the weather. Nor can we stop the changing seasons. Unless of course we holiday somewhere else and miss the season we don’t like. We can, with work, determination and the support of others, manage addictions. We can take small steps each day. Watch what we eat. Think about who we will spend time with, what activities we will do to help us stay happy, peaceful, settled. Be kind to ourselves. Forgive ourselves. Spend time being aware, embrace life. Believe you are worth it – you mean the world to someone.