Saturday, April 4, 2009

Of Sun Breaks and Saddles


We're done with my daughter going through a week and a half of strep while my wife was out of town. Next up, I've got an upcoming presentation on parenting young children at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Unfortunately it is for members only, or I'd invite you to come along. 

Did you know when people are surveyed about how they would rate their "life happiness" on a scale of 1 to 10 that weather accounts for three of those ten points? If you ask them in the middle of a wintry or rainy spell they might say, "I'm a four". But if you cue them to think about weather first they adjust their rating, so they'd say something like, "Well I would say four, but I'm thinking the weather is making things look a bit more bleak. So I'd be about a seven." There is a theory though that was explored here in Oregon that suggests that some of the depression we currently attribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is likely in part cause by our low activity level when were in the middle of slush or rain. When the sun comes out, you see garage doors open, bikes around, and people walking dogs and such. 

So after this presentation, and with this sun boost, I plan to be back in the blogging saddle more consistently. Hope to see you 'round.