Some 40 years of research suggests there is a strong link between the weather and your mood. And, there’s even a real condition (appropriately named SAD — Seasonal Affective Disorder) that those with the most serious weather-related behavioral issues are diagnosed with. Who knows how much of this whole mood and weather thing has to do with allergies or sinus problems? Not me, that’s for sure. I do know that I read someplace that exposure to sunlight provides vitamin D, which affects hormone levels and, therefore, moods — AND, I know that while I’m far from a SAD diagnosis, I do get sick of Indiana’s gray days. Gloomy, gray skies day after day. After day.
If your little slice of the world is in Indiana, you might be thinking about spending at least the winter months someplace where the sun actually shines. And, you may be thinking Florida — it’s the “sunshine state”, right? Well, not exactly. Meteorological data shows that 5 U.S. states actually have a greater claim on that title than Florida. The top state is Arizona. Next, are California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. (These stats are from the national weather service and were reported in USA Today.) In reality, the ‘sunshine state’ (as also reported in USA Today) has more days where between 20% and 70% of the sun is blocked by clouds than anywhere else in the US.
Some Floridian marketing guru is laughing right now.