Why people get depressed on rainy days
Sep 16, 2025
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Depression seems unrelated to the weather, but it is actually closely related. In particular, the depressed mood on a rainy day is the result of simultaneous physiological and psychological factors. Understanding the cause can reduce unnecessary worries and find ways to refresh yourself.
reduction of serotonin due to lack of sunlight
Sunlight is an important factor in promoting serotonin secretion. Serotonin is called 'happiness hormone' and contributes to stabilizing mood and maintaining vitality. However, when it rains, the secretion of serotonin decreases as sunlight becomes insufficient. As a result, you lose vitality, easily become lethargic or lose concentration. In fact, seasonal depression increases during seasons when sunlight is scarce, which stems from the same principle.
melatonin imbalance
Cloudy skies can slightly increase the secretion of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Melatonin increases in dark environments and induces sleep, and if melatonin increases during the day on a rainy day, you may feel sleepy or drowsy. This can interfere with the rhythm of activity and lead to depression. In particular, people with sensitive sleep patterns may feel this effect more significantly.
the effects of a change in air pressure
On rainy days, air pressure drops, which can cause physical discomfort to some people. For example, low pressure causes headaches or fatigue, which can indirectly affect mood degradation. People who are sensitive to weather changes are more likely to feel these symptoms more strongly.
Decreased activity
If you reduce going out or postpone exercise because of the rain, your activity decreases sharply. Less activity also reduces the secretion of positive hormones such as endorphins and dopamine. This leads to depression. If you do light exercises such as simple stretching or yoga indoors, blood circulation becomes active and your mood becomes lighter. Small habits can influence the mood of the day.
psychological associative effects
People unconsciously connect the sound of rain and the cloudy sky to loneliness. The frequent appearance of rain with sadness or separation scenes in movies or music also reinforces this association. When our brains hear the sound of rain, they naturally think of loneliness or loneliness and affect real emotions. These psychological factors, combined with scientific factors, make depression greater.
Depression on a rainy day is not simply due to mood, but is explained by a combination of lack of sunlight, melatonin changes, reduced air pressure, reduced activity, and psychological associations. However, it is not difficult to manage it. You can refresh yourself just by drinking a cup of warm tea or listening to your favorite music. It is also helpful to simply move your body indoors and open the window to enjoy the sound of rain calmly.
After all, the important thing is to accept depression as a natural phenomenon and find your own way to alleviate it. If you use a rainy day as an opportunity for contemplation and rest, not just a gloomy time, it can be a time to gather your mind. One small habit can lighten the heavy mood of the day.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
