Going to a warm place in the middle of winter can be a huge mood booster.  Pleasant weather has been proven to improve moods, memory, and broaden our cognitive thinking skills.  However, extremely hot weather can actually make us feel more tired and sluggish, lowering our overall mood.  Being outside on a nice spring afternoon after being in hibernation all winter long offers a way to recharge your mind.

In a recent study, participants who spent time outdoors in moderate weather were more content than those who spent all day inside.  They also found better memory scores when they ran tests comparing the two groups.  Research has also proven that sunlight boosts your serotonin levels by providing it with vitamin D.  Of course people feel a little more blue in the winter and better in the spring.  That is no big shock.  Some even experience SA in the winter, which is seasonal affective disorder from lack of sunlight and warmth.

The best temperature for humans is about 72 degrees because it is the most temperate.  That explains why people in southern California are so happy all the time.  Research has also found a link between hot weather and violent behavior.  To improve mood, a person must spend at least 30 minutes outside in warm, sunny weather.  Spending time indoors when the weather outside is so nice tends to decrease mood and diminish critical thinking patterns.  It is most likely because we resent being cooped-up inside when spring time arrives – commonly referred to as spring fever.  It can also make inside activities seem boring or annoying causing less productivity.

Maybe just the activities associated with being outside affect our mood.  Warm weather is associated with the beach, baseball, dozens of fun sports, as well as camp fires, bike rides, etc.  It brings back childhood memories of playing outside all day until dusk.  Who doesn’t love that?