Introduction
Rainy and cloudy days not only affect commutes to work for thousands of people but also have negative impacts on mental health, potentially decreasing productivity and engagement.
The Impact of Weather on Mental Health
According to studies published by the National Library of Medicine in the United States, sunny and warm climates have benefits for individuals. They foster a positive mood, improve memory, and promote an expansive cognitive style. These advantages help workers perform their daily tasks more effectively.
Expert Opinions
Yunue Cárdenas, Founder and CEO of Menthalising
Yunue Cárdenas highlights the emotional and psychological impact of rainy days on individuals, depending on their current emotional state. Rain can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, sadness, or fatigue, especially if there are emotional burdens or accumulated stress. Lack of natural light affects the production of serotonin and melatonin, substances that help maintain anxiety and stress levels.
Cloudy days can create a sense of confinement or isolation, as people cannot move freely. This situation is compounded by the difficulties faced in commuting to work, which directly impacts both laboral and mental performance.
Roxana Linazasoro, Clinical Psychologist and Therapist
Roxana Linazasoro agrees that heavy rainfall and its impact on commuting result in absenteeism, which negatively affects both companies and employees. Fear of not reaching work, coupled with anxiety and frustration, leads to decreased interest in performing tasks. Psychosocial factors at work also contribute to stress, mental fatigue, frustration, and anxiety.
She adds that some individuals experience significant uncertainty about not being able to reach work due to rainfall, potentially leading to isolation and low mood.
Recommendations for Employers
The Secretariat of Labor and Employment Promotion in Mexico City has called on employers to be understanding, as employees face difficulties reaching work on time due to heavy rainfall. They recommend considering remote work options during such conditions.
The World Economic Forum states that daily workplace stress ranges from job-related stress to climate anxiety, with consequences extending beyond individual distress.
“Unresolved mental health issues increase absenteeism and turnover, reducing commitment, decreasing productivity, and raising costs for organizations over time,” warns the Forum.
In times of uncertainty and anxiety about adverse weather, workplace mental health support structures become crucial for retaining and engaging talent.
Strategies for Companies
Roxana Linazasoro suggests that organizations implement strategies to equip employees facing challenging commutes and extreme weather with tools to fulfill their duties.
- Implement emergency planning when forecasts predict heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, allowing employees who can work remotely to do so.
- Create communication channels between employers and employees to optimize work without compromising employee well-being, emphasizing openness, receptiveness, empathy, and dialogue.
Yunue Cárdenas notes that some organizations prioritize mental health, offering psychological support programs to mitigate the effects of depression and anxiety.
“When complicated commutes combine with extreme weather, seasonal affective disorder and stress can negatively impact productivity and the organizational environment. In personal situations, these factors may lead to severe depression or absence from work,” she argues.
