Milwaukee enjoys a big mood boost with warm, sunny weather

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After a long winter, temperatures this week are warm and the sun is out. For many, the warm weather can be a great mental health boost.

Tuesday, April 11, there were many out and about enjoying the weather.

“It’s like the seasonal depression has lifted,” one woman said.

CBS 58 talked to others near the lakefront who said they were excited to soak up the sun.

“It is absolutely a mood booster. I have had some health struggles through the winter and challenges and then all of a sudden, the sun comes out and it warms up and it’s like okay, I can do this,” said a woman who was walking by the lake.

There’s actually science behind why the warm weather makes us feel good.

“When the warm weather hits, particularly the sunlight, it helps increase our serotonin levels in our body, that regulatory neurotransmitter and then it goes and does a little something with a friend called dopamine, which is also that feel-good mood regulator as well,” said Tarsha Wiggins with Speak Wellness Behavioral Health.

Wiggins is a licensed clinical social worker and says the Vitamin D from the sun can be a game-changer for anyone needing a mood boost. The sunlight can also help regulate your sleep.

“It naturally turns on your rhythm when the sun goes down you start to regulate, calm, relax and it creates that great rhythm full circle for you,” she said.

Folks are encouraged to make a plan to spend time outside this week.