This Runner's Trials
18Feb/1129

On weather and mood

I've been laying low this week. Since taking my shot, I've forced myself to relax. I've tried to avoid all things that mentally stress me out, and I've cut back on the physical stress I put on my body.

That equaled no running for 3 days after my trigger shot. Yikes!

*Note, I had no real reason for doing this. There's really not much evidence that stress causes infertility (source). But I thought taking it easy could only help my chances of ovulation.

I thought for sure I was going to lose it this week. Who ditches their primary coping mechanism at the peak of going through something difficult?

But I never lost it. I didn't cry once (record). I didn't eat a single cupcake (tragic). And I didn't miss running. And I was surprisingly in high spirits all week.

I'll be fair. I did yoga, swim, and walk the furball during my running hiatus, so it's not like I was sedentary. But being in a good mood despite not running? This was something new.

And there is only one logical reason for my state of mind:

Hello spring :) SO nice to see you!

We have been spoiled with amazing weather all week in the Carolinas. I hear my northern friends are having their fair share of spring-like temps so I don't feel too bad rubbing it in ;)

My mood is greatly impacted by the weather. I've always suspected I've had some degree of SAD. If the weather was cold and rainy all week, I may have broken my "no running" rule, and I'm positive I would not have resisted cupcakes.

I'd like the thank Mother Nature for cooperating with me during the week. Keep up the good work, girl!

And while I didn't miss running, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't really looking forward to my (easy) run later today :)

Does the weather affect your mood? On yucky days are you more likely to turn to the couch, or get out there and do a hard workout? I definitely fall into the latter group!

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Comments (29) Trackbacks (0)
  1. I’ve been loving the temps up here in DC – so glad they are down with you, and making you feel happy and chipper this week!

  2. I try really hard not to let the weather affect my mood. Of course sometimes it happens — like when it rains for four days straight and I get so frustrated. But I’ve been running regardless of the weather, which is surprisingly fun, and I do my best to control my own moods rather than letting the temperature decide how I feel.

    Have a great run today. Excited for you!

  3. I’m glad you have been feeling better! Yes, the weather impacts my mood so much. I didn’t realize the extent until this winter when the seasons changed (and I had a blog to record my moods and feelings). I cannot wait for spring, flip flops, dresses, and running in shorts!
    Unfortunately, today is supposed to be crazy nice but I’m going to be inside/on a plane all day

  4. I know exactly how you feel with the weather – it makes all the difference to my ENTIRE personality. And considering I live in a country where it’s cold, rainy and cloudy 90% of the time, on sunny, happy days I realise how miserable I must seem in comparison the rest of the time!

    SO glad you’ve had a good week, hope it continues into the weekend and beyond!

  5. you know we have talked about this 100 times. :)
    being in NOLA this winter though hasnt been that baad b/c it doesnt get as cold here as it does in MS. last feb was FREEZING but it has been nice all week for us too! it was 74 yesterday and suppsoed to be 76 today! it also hasnt been as gloomy as it was last year. yay for sunshine!

  6. Happy to be hearing that east coasters are getting a good dose of sun/nice temps! Way to go on the crying-free week. It’s helpful to hear how you cope. Thanks for the link to the stress article :O

  7. It’s hard to get outside when the temps are freezing (or even below zero), so I grab the chance to run outside when it gets warm in the winter – like yesterday, it was 40 out, and I had a perfect run!

  8. Yes! Crummy weather sucks. But when I convince myself to run in cold or rainy weather, I love how hardcore I feel…mood booster! :)

  9. I’ll run in any weather but I’m much more pleasant if it’s nice out ;) My run this morning was beautiful…I’ll never complain about the heat in the summer again (maybe)!

  10. Congrats on swimming a mile!! That’s awesome.. And yea for some sun and a good mood. Now go for a run!!!

  11. Ahhh — why couldn’t I have come to Charlotte THIS week — 76 degrees?! That sounds so heavenly right now. I shouldn’t complain because we are having nicer weather than usual, but still…doesn’t mean a girl can’t dream.

    Anyway, the weather has a much larger impact on my mood than I’d really like to admit. Even though I’ve been sidelined from running because of my stupid injury, I’ve also been in really high spirits. The sun and warm temperatures have made me feel “high on life.” It’s crazy how a little sunshine can change your entire attitude.

  12. it’s been in the 40′s and 50′s here (and that feels glorious!). i can’t wait for spring! weather does totally impact my mood – on yucky days all i want to do is stay in my pajamas and lay on the couch.

  13. So glad you’re in good spirits! This weather has me in a happier mood too. Now if I could only make it home before the sun sets. I have that to look forward to soon!

  14. I moved to the Pacific Northwest after living in Arizona for a few years and I have to say that despite the (sometimes frustrating) rain and dark weather, it’s nice to have seasons. Sure, I get moody and annoyed that I have to run or ride in the rain, but sometimes the bad weather forces you to step outside of your workout comfort zone and try something new–visit a new coffee shop, try a new restaurant, see a movie at a new theatre, etc.

    Plus, the entire city comes alive when there’s a random sunny or warm day in the middle of winter. I appreciate the spring and summer so much more than when I lived in a state that was sunny all the time.

  15. Good weather always makes me feel better. It’s around 60 in NYC today and sunny, wish I was outside. Glad your are in good spirits :)

  16. The weather definitely affects my mood, though sometimes more than others. If I’m already having a bad day and its really dreary out, that will bring me down, but if I’m having a great day or having something to look forward to, the weather won’t bother me as much. Regardless I am SO happy that warmer temps are in the future. I am so done with winter and ready to take pleasant runs and walks outside :)

  17. The weather definitely affects my mood big time. I’m glad you’re feeling better this week. I’m crossing my fingers for you!!

  18. The weather has a huge affect on my mood It’s probably too much. I definitely get the blues when it’s cold and gray for days on end. It’s really hard to enjoy being out and doing things when the cold is biting at you the whole time. I notice an increase in my happiness when the sun shines and I can feel the warmth. I type this as I prepare for 20 miles in bitter cold and wind. You can imagine how I feel about that…

  19. So glad the weather has been nice this past week! :0) Glad you enjoyed your relaxing/stress-free days! :0)

  20. Lucky Ducky! It’s still – 31 here.. But I do take vitamin D every day which helps in the 6 months of winter!

  21. The weather TOTALLY can dictate my mood. We we had that random 74 degree weather a couple Sunday’s ago, I thought I was going to literally smile skittles. I love Spring and am so glad that we are weeks for this weather being FINAL! I can see the light!!!!

  22. Hi Jen! Just found your blog and totally love it, wanted to comment and say hello! I go to USC- its great to follow another Gamecock!

  23. The weather definitely affects my mood. Today we had rain, snow, & hail all day long. It was very dreary but I didn’t let it get to me. I made it a productive day. It’s great seeing that you didn’t let the ‘no running’ get you in a funk. I often find myself having the same problem. I feel *guilty* if I don’t run for a day, gotta learn to shake that one off.

  24. So happy you have had some sunshine to help with your mood with everything you have going on!

    I am the opposite, the fog & clouds put me in a good mood and makes me want to go run! Yah I know weird for a girl living in California ;)

  25. Our weather has been amazing and I’ve been in a great mood too. I decided to take the weekend off of exercise to let my body heal and it was incredibly hard to miss out on running outside. Luckily, parking myself in a lawn chair outside on Saturday afternoon and going for a walk helped a lot.

    Once the days are longer and the temperatures are comfortable, I always find myself craving runs after being shut inside and cold all winter!

  26. hi jen! just thinking about you and hoping your 7 dpo follow up tests went well!!

  27. we did have some nice weather…but then this morning woke up to a whole lotta snow… :(

    glad your mood/weather are both full of sunshine :)

  28. Weather significantly effects my mood. When it’s cloudy all my energy goes out the window. Thankfully NC is sunny most days. I wouldn’t survive in the Northwest.

  29. My mood is definitely impacted by the weather as well!


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