Depressed on rainy days... How can I stop this?

You are lucky it is only on rainy days! Just keep yourself busy and visit sites on the Net that show beautiful pictures of summer scenes. Sleep it off and try to have company as much as possible.

Well, don’t mistake a slight mood shift as “depression.” It’s rainy here today, and it makes me feel more quiet and introspective than sunny days do, when I’m outside running about.
If you want to sleep, sleep. You’re in college? I could sleep for days when I was in college because I was burning the candle at both ends and in the middle.

Maybe try getting a UV light to help boost your serotonin levels on gloomy days.

You’re doing the right thing by noticing this change in yourself and then reaching out for understanding and ideas to combat it with. Good for you!

It doesn’t sound like it’s adversely affecting your ability to live your life. You are able to do your schoolwork, and you’re still getting regular exercise. Those are tremendous positives.

I am not a clinician, but I work in the mental health field. To my ear, you sound normal. I wouldn’t worry about it, until it develops in a way that prevents you from taking care of your daily activities.

I believe that everyone experiences some level of seasonal affective disorder during winter’s short days and the “blahs” during prolonged rain. So much of our behavior is influenced by our evolutionary past. It simply makes sense that we go into semi-hibernation when circumstances inhibit hunting, gathering, firemaking, and all those caveman chores. SAD may not be a “disorder” at all, but a natural state and part of the human condition.

How to alleviate gloominess during the rain? Learn to love the music that rain makes as it hits the roof, the window, and even the ground. When that wonderful ozone smell arrives before or after a storm, inhale deeply and enjoy the sharp, pungent aroma (a bit of fun trivia – the word “ozone” is from the Greek ozein, the infinitive for “to smell”). Remember that water’s essential for all life, and it comes by way of rain. Remind yourself that rain makes plants grow, thrive, and look gorgeous on sunny days. Don’t forget that the rain can’t last forever, and that lovely weather will return.

Thank you @Love_my_doggie. Not everything that doesn’t include happiness or contentment is a “disorder.”

Your words are wise and true, @Dutchess_III.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/in-depth/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/art-20048298?pg=2
.
.
I have no idea how much they cost, but there are actually light boxes made specifically for this problem, which is particularly prevalent for people living in Northern regions during winter months with typically less light.

They don’t require a prescription to purchase but they do suggest asking a doctor for guidance on specifically which light boxes would be appropriate for you (they also have light boxes designed to treat some skin conditions apparently, so that woukd be the wrong kind)

To me, personally, that would be preferable over taking meds because it is natural and doesn’t have any obnoxious side effects to contend with.

It might be worth checking into further to see if this might be helpful for you.

@Coloma

Actually, Mayo Clinic recommends light boxes designed to FILTER out UV light.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I want to clarify that I know I’m not depressed. I probably could have worded the question better! I guess I’m just wondering what does everyone else do on a rainy day? I ended up just hiking in the rain because I was desperate to get out of the house. Running and hiking are really my only hobbies, and these are tough to do with crappy weather….

I don’t get depressed when it rains but I definitely get more sleepy than usual. It wouldn’t be at all unusual for me to sleep most of the day.

And this also happens even if I don’t even know if it’s raining. I just keep on sleeping and sleeping, Strange.

I am a very upbeat guy and generally don’t nap during the day. But rainy days put me to sleep. The sound of the rain, the grey skies, the fact that outdoor tasks can be delayed all make me relax and feel drowsy.
That combination also makes me think of, and want sex.

Change your attitude to a rain. There are a lot of amazing or simply useful things you can do in inclement weather. Listening to a patter of the rain. Walking down empty streets of the city. Observing a rainbow. Splashing in a puddle. Swimming in a waterbody in the summertime. Drinking up a cup of hot cacao, with milk and money. Sorting out things in the chest of drawers. Resting from the world in a cozy chair with an interesting book you have no time to read before. This is just a short list of how you can spend a raining day. Use your imagination! I’m sure you know better what is more suitable for you.
And my own observation is following: The effective way to fight something irritating you is to try loving it.

@Sunshinegirl11 “I want to clarify that I know I’m not depressed. I probably could have worded the question better! I guess I’m just wondering what does everyone else do on a rainy day?”

Then I’m curious why your question reads, “Depressed on rainy days…How can I stop this?”.

@Love_my_doggie When I was growing up, and even still today, people can use the word “depressed” to simply mean their mood is down at the moment. It’s becoming politically incorrect to use it so casually any more, though, of course.