Do you have any information on the effects of weather on human behaviour? This could include the influence of temperature, winds, cloud, sun and moon. Wanda Sparkes,Arborg, Manitoba
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In terms of temperature, hot humid days have been known to contribute to periods of sleepiness, decreased general activity, poorer vigilance, irritability, lethargy and sexual arousal during nocturnal periods in humans. On the other hand, cool crisp days with low humidity have been observed to facilitate alertness, increased general activity and elevated moods in people.
Lower temperatures contribute to greater instances of colds, coughs and sore throats. In some instances, the passage of an air mass is associated with an increased number of colds and respiratory ailments. In addition, studies have shown that there tends to be a greater incidence of mortality in humans from cardiovascular complications in periods of lower outdoor temperatures (e.g. below 10°C) and in the winter months.
By comparison, research has demonstrated that heat waves, with temperatures exceeding 38°C for more than a week, tend to increase human mortality rates by 10 per cent compared to the monthly average. The most vulnerable to this type of weather are people with kidney disease or a propensity for stroke (especially older patients), the elderly and the very young.
Winds and turbulence are also weather factors that affect human behaviour and health. For instance, a persistent, audible wind can contribute to an increase in tiredness and irritability, depending on the rate of amplitude, or the moaning and howling of the wind. Often the fatigue is subtle, but cumulative over a period of several hours. In addition, sudden, marked decreases in mood can occur.
Another element of the weather, the amount of sunlight available on a particular day, can affect human behaviour. While bright days with full sun are often positively stimulating, cloudy days when it is grey outside tend to have a relaxing effect on people.
It is not clearly understood how lunar phases affect health, but theories exist which suggest that our health is actually being affected by the atmospheric environment as discussed above, and that it is this atmospheric environment which is responding to lunar changes.
Source: Dr. Michael Persinger, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada and Mr. Denis Bourque, Environment Canada
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