By Camryn Dilla /Staff Writer

Missouri Valley College students say weather changes can directly impact their mood and energy levels, with sunny days often improving their outlook and colder conditions having the opposite effect.

Freshman Jenna Nash says summer weather has the biggest impact on her mood. 

“Summer…it makes me the happiest,” she said. 

On the other hand, winter brings a noticeable shift.

 “It makes me feel sad and not that happy,” Nash said. 

Sophomore Martin Teseyra shares similar feelings. While warm, sunny weather gives him more energy, rainy days have the opposite effect.

 “It makes me want to be in my bed all day,” Teseyra said.

 He added that he feels more motivated and active when the weather is nice, especially during the summer when days are longer and consistently warm. 

Junior Anthony Leath said he also notices a difference when the weather changes. He said sunny weather makes him feel, “more energetic and eager to do something outside.” 

While warm weather usually gives him energy, he says too much sun can also wear him out. “Energetic until I get too much sun, then tired,” Leath said. 

He added that while his mood doesn’t change much between seasons, summer makes him want to be more active outdoors.

Research supports what these students are feeling and experiencing. According to an environmental psychology study published in Frontiers in Public Health, weather conditions like sunlight, temperature, and rain can affect mood. Sunlight helps increase chemicals in the brain that improve happiness, while cloudy or cold weather can lead to lower energy and negative feelings. 

Weather can also affect behavior. People are more likely to go outside, be active, and socialize when the weather is nice. On gloomy days, people are more likely to stay inside and feel less motivated. 

Even though everyone reacts differently, many students agree that warm sunny weather improves their mood, while cold and rainy days make it harder to stay positive, proving that sometimes, your outlook really does depend on the forecast.