I'm Excited to Be Quoted in Stylist and Apple News on Meteorosensitivity and the Psychology of Rubbish Weather

Over the past few weeks I’ve been talking a lot in the therapy room about something that many people notice but rarely name: the way weather can get under our skin. So I was really pleased to be extensively quoted by Kerry Law in her recent piece for Stylist exploring meteorosensitivity, the psychological and physical responses some of us have to shifts in weather, particularly the greyer, windier, more unsettled kind we see so much of in the UK.

The article looks beyond the usual focus on seasonal affective disorder and asks a more nuanced question. Why do drizzle, blustery winds, pressure changes and long stretches of grey sky leave some people feeling flat, irritable or oddly out of sync, even when they quite like winter in theory? Research suggests this isn’t imagination or weakness. Mood changes linked to rain, fog and low temperatures are well documented, and for some people these shifts are accompanied by headaches, disrupted sleep, bodily discomfort or a sense of emotional fragility when the weather changes abruptly.

What I see clinically is that these reactions very much exist on a spectrum. Two people can experience the same day and have completely different internal responses. For some, rain feels calming and permission giving. For others, it disrupts routines, limits movement and social contact, and quietly erodes mood. Wind in particular often comes up in sessions, not just as an inconvenience but as something that genuinely unsettles the nervous system through noise, sensory overload and sleep disruption. When the body is under that kind of strain, emotional regulation becomes harder work.

The piece also explores why weather can affect us through several overlapping lenses. There’s the biological impact of reduced daylight on circadian rhythms and mood-related hormones. There’s an evolutionary layer, where darkness, cold and storms once signalled danger and the need to conserve energy. And there’s the cultural piece too. In the UK we’re brilliant at talking about “bad weather”, and those expectations can really amplify our  physiological responses that may already have been triggered, rather than create them from nothing.

Importantly, the article doesn’t stop at explanation. It offers practical, evidence-based ways of coping that don’t involve pretending the weather doesn’t bother you. Reframing your response, noticing your personal triggers, planning gentler days when conditions are likely to affect you, and maintaining some daylight exposure even in less inviting weather can all make a meaningful difference. Small, realistic adjustments tend to be far more effective than trying to power through or waiting for perfect conditions.

If you’ve ever noticed your mood dip with grey skies, felt more on edge in high winds, or wondered why sudden weather changes leave you feeling “off”, you’re definitely not alone. And if those reactions start to feel intense or limiting, they’re absolutely worth taking seriously and talking through with a professional.

You can read the full article here: Are you meteorosensitive? How to stop rubbish weather putting you in a bad mood, published by Stylist on 2 February 2026 and also via Apple News.