Why the Weather Affects Your Body and Mood
Have you ever woken up feeling off for no apparent reason—moody, achy, or exhausted—even though you think you slept fine and nothing stressful happened? At our wellness center, we call it a “disturbance in the force” when clients and practitioners alike start reporting similar symptoms at the same time. As it turns out, these shifts are not just in your head—they’re in the atmosphere.
Our bodies are constantly responding to changes in the environment around us, and that includes both earthly weather and space weather. In the Northeast, springtime brings dramatic shifts in temperature, humidity, and pressure—while above us, solar flares and geomagnetic storms can silently stir things up. These natural forces affect everything from our joints to our sleep cycles, and learning to recognize their influence can help us respond with more compassion and care for our bodies and minds.
Barometric Pressure & Pain Sensitivity
When the weather changes—rain, snow, humidity, wind, dramatic temperature shifts—barometric pressure often drops. This shift causes pressure differences between the outside atmosphere and the air inside our bodies, particularly in the joints and sinuses. Lower pressure can allow tissues to expand slightly, and in small spaces like joints, sinuses and even the inner ear, it can trigger discomfort.
But the impact goes deeper than just joint pain. Lower barometric pressure has also been shown to affect cardiovascular health by increasing blood viscosity (how thick your blood is) and raising blood pressure. This puts more strain on the heart and arteries. Fatigue may also increase as reduced blood flow to the brain leads to lower oxygen levels. And for those with diabetes, blood sugar can become harder to regulate during rapid weather changes.
Common symptoms:
Joint pain and stiffness
Headaches or migraines
Sinus pressure or dizziness
Cardiovascular strain (blood pressure spikes)
Brain fog or fatigue due to reduced oxygenation
Blood sugar fluctuations
What can help?
Gentle movement and stretching can keep fluids circulating and ease tension in tight muscles and joints. Staying hydrated supports blood viscosity and oxygen flow. Regular bodywork like massage therapy or lymphatic drainage may ease inflammation and promote relief, especially during high-change weather days. If you're managing a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension, monitoring your vitals more closely during major weather swings may also help you stay ahead of symptoms.
Thunderstorms & Sensory Sensitivity
Before a storm hits, some people (and most pets) become agitated, anxious, or develop headaches. One reason may be sensitivity to infrasound—very low-frequency sound waves produced by thunder and atmospheric shifts. These frequencies are often felt more than heard and can affect the nervous system of those who are particularly sensitive.
What can help?
Earthing or grounding (like walking barefoot on grass), breathwork, and sound healing can help reset your nervous system and bring a sense of internal steadiness amidst external turbulence.
Space Weather & Solar Activity
Our sun isn’t just a provider of light—it’s a source of high-energy solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that send charged particles into Earth’s magnetic field. These geomagnetic storms can disrupt power grids and satellites—but they can also subtly impact human physiology.
Some research has linked solar storms to:
Sleep disruption and fatigue due to altered melatonin cycles
Mood swings and irritability
Increased inflammation
Elevated blood pressure or heart arrhythmias
An uptick in infections and flu-like symptoms
We are currently in a solar maximum cycle (the last one peaked in 2014), meaning these solar events are more frequent. A CME brushed Earth on April 12th, which could explain why many people reported feeling “off” that week.
What can help?
Creating a consistent self-care routine during times of energetic upheaval is key. Mindfulness, breathwork, and sound healing can help calm the nervous system, lower heart rate and support circadian rhythm regulation. Reiki and energy work can help relax and balance you when the external world feels overwhelming.
Weathering the Weather with Grace
We can’t control the weather—but we can strengthen how we respond to it. Whether it’s pressure, pain, poor sleep, or emotional volatility, your body may be more in tune with the Earth and Sun than you realize. At The Healing Sanctuary, we offer a wide range of services to help you stay grounded, resilient, and balanced—no matter what’s swirling in the skies. From massage and energy healing to mindfulness, sound healing and breathwork classes, we’re here to support you through all kinds of storms, both atmospheric and emotional.
Come visit us and learn how to create your own inner climate of calm, clarity, and connection—rain or shine.
