Doesn’t the Weather Absolutely Affect Our Mood
- Alison Lacey
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
And no, I don’t think we’re being dramatic saying it.
A few days ago, I found myself staring out of the window and literally saying out loud:“Oh P off.”(especially after a weekend in Mallorca!)
Now, I’m not a sun-worshipping, lie-on-a-beach-all-day kind of girl. Transparently fair skin, full SPF for life, and I suffered with a UVA allergy in my younger years… so trust me, I’m not chasing a tan.
But still.
Grey skies feel heavy after a while.Relentless rain makes everything feel harder, because, well… it is.Dark mornings can drain your motivation before you’ve even brushed your teeth, can’t they?
And then suddenly… the sun pops out.
We had one day of sunshine this week and honestly, I thought I was in the Bahamas.
What really surprised me wasn’t the weather itself, it was how I felt.Lighter. More hopeful, more capable.
Which sounds a bit mad… but it was real.
Life just felt more manageable when everything outside felt lighter and brighter.
It’s Not “In Your Head”, It’s Biology
Apparently, this isn’t just a mindset thing. It’s biology.
Light affects our circadian rhythm. Sunlight boosts serotonin.Cold, dark weather can nudge our nervous system into a more stressed, sluggish state.
So our bodies respond to the environment whether we consciously want them to or not.
And that got me thinking about why movement and exercise can feel so much harder in winter…and also why it’s even more important.
Why Movement Matters More in Winter
When it’s dark, cold and wet, we naturally want to curl up, do less, retreat.
But gentle, consistent movement, strength, mobility, balance, breathing, is one of the most powerful ways to:
lift our mood
regulate our nervous system
remind our bodies that we’re safe, capable and strong
That’s exactly why Flexpress isn’t about smashing yourself or “going hard”.
It’s about showing up.Moving your body in a way that supports you. Giving yourself a little lift, physically and mentally.
Meeting Yourself Where You Are
I realised the other day that I wasn’t just fed up with the rain when I told my garden to P off.
It was that deeper “meh” that creeps in when winter drags on.
So I did what I so often encourage others to do, I met myself where I was.
A couple of gentle stretches. Some slow, nourishing movement. Imagining warmth, light and ease…Walking along a beach, breathing deeply, hearing the waves.
And honestly?
It worked.
I felt lighter.
We’re Only Human
It reminded me that even when we can’t change the weather, we can change how we support our bodies through it.
So if you’ve been feeling flat, sluggish, unmotivated or just a bit “off” lately, please know this:
There is nothing wrong with you. You’re human, and winter is very much wintering.
Keep moving. Keep showing up...even gently. That consistency is doing far more than you realise.
And wherever you are today, I hope it feels like a light and bright one…even if that light is coming from inside rather than the sky.
Now… shall we all do a bloody sun dance for spring to hurry up please? ☀️💃
Alison x
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