(no subject)
So I've decided I'm going to post all my English essays that I have access to from this year on LiveJournal. For other people to reference, for your own enjoyment, whatever. So I'll do them one at a time (I'll put them under cuts, but your flist will still hate me).
I will do my best to post Works Cited's with them. . .
Also, I will only be posting FINAL DRAFTS of papers. It makes no sense to give you the cruddy stuff.
Finally, if it has a title, it will be the LJ-cut. If it does not have a title, I will give some other sort of description -- the work being talked about plus "Untitled" or "Response," or whatever.
Without further ado, I thought we'd continue with some cause and effect. . .
Human beings are naturally emotional creatures. It is one of the defining traits of a human and part of what sets such beings apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. With emotion comes mood, or, how a person feels, which can be altered and caused by any number of things. It is widely accepted that mood can be affected by what a person eats, their exercise habits, the people with which they surround themselves, music and other things. A lesser known factor which effects mood is that of the weather and seasons. Weather can have a great effect on any person’s mood, both in negative and positive ways.
Despite the amount of research that agrees that weather has a large impact on our moods, some scientists disagree. The reason they give as to why humans are down during the unfavorable weather, which is dark, cold and often rainy, and happier during pleasant weather, described as sunny and around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, is simply because we have learned to associate bad weather with negative feelings and good weather with positive feelings. “That rain is gloom and sunshine happiness is metaphorical rather than scientific, though it rings true because we humans are inherently sympathetic to our environment. But we are not its victims. Barring a mood disorder, our emotions are not casualties of the weather. The rain can be guilty by association, but not causation” (Maloof). Even if it is only because humans associate certain types of weather with moods (which then causes them to feel those emotions), there is still that connection and process. Though perhaps not as neatly as some scientists would like, weather clearly has an effect on a human being’s mood because of the association. This association exists for a reason - because humans feel the way they do when it rains. It is quite like the chicken and egg dilemma, except rather more clear that it began with negative feelings resulting from negative weather. Despite his hesitance to agree to the relationship between good or bad weather and its accompanying emotions, Maloof admits some people are more vulnerable to the effects of weather on mood than others. Those who have an especially difficult time with their mood, specifically during darker weather, may have SAD, or, Seasonal Affective Disorder. Those who do suffer from this disorder are suggested to “‘Do things that make you feel good, like listening to uplifting music or reading a good novel. Look at pictures from a vacation-and if you can, take a vacation to a warm place’” (Maloof). This is further confirmed by the fact that “it's extremely rare to find anyone with the disorder within 30 degrees of the equator, where days are long and the sky is bright year-round” (Carlile). Weather is such a factor in mood that it has been included in a formula to mathematically determine the most depressing day of the year. Other factors included debt, monthly salary, and the time since Christmas. For the year 2010, that date has been determined to be January 18 (Szalavitz). Numerous professors and experts have done research and experiments to show how weather impacts how humans feel. Beyond this, various ways of treating those who are severely affected by the winter blues have been tried and been, in many cases, successful. While some studies have suggested weather does not effect mood enough to really matter, there are many indicators to say that it does in fact have a great impact.
With weather, comes light conditions, which makes a more scientific argument for the weather and mood phenomenon. The pineal gland, when darkness is abundant, releases melatonin, a chemical which induces the sleep cycle, is produced in greater amounts. Meanwhile, the opposite occurs in the light. In this case, more serotonin is released. Serotonin is involved in cheerful moods and being awake. “The word serotonin is rooted in serum + tonic, so it's like an elixir for happiness. Melatonin is the mel or "black" tonic, for darkness” (Maloof). Naturally, in good weather, the sun is out, and therefore, there is plenty of light. When it is rainy or during the winter, when the days are shorter and there is less light, more melatonin is produced and released, causing people to feel more tired and less cheerful. Moodiness can easily be altered, according to Maloof, despite his doubtful feelings on the relationship between weather and mood. “‘We tell people to take advantage of the sunny days,’ says Kalayjian. ‘Leave the computers and the indoor games and get out there in the sun. That's when they can recharge their batteries-recharge their serotonin-and maintain higher mood’” (Maloof). To use good weather as a sort of treatment to improve mood certainly indicates it has an effect on how humans feel. These effects are so strong that special light bulbs have been developed to aid in what is called “light therapy.” This kind of therapy is an acceptable treatment for SAD (“Light Therapy”). Full spectrum lighting mimics the sun, therefore causing the brain to produce more serotonin, which puts into motion the process described above. Because light is a great part of the weather, mostly because it is provided by the sun, it causes the weather to have an effect on how people are feeling emotionally.
Just as light predictably affects our moods, other elements of the weather have effects on human feelings. Humidity, for example, has been found to cause lethargy (Grohol). Not only this, but heat, too, can have an effect on how we feel. Consider how often individuals blame irritability on the heat. “The best temperature for humans is about 72 degrees [Fahrenheit] because it is the most temperate” (Feldman). Seventy-two degrees is about “room temperature.” The effect of such a temperature explains why humans keep their dwellings in that heated state. Men are most comfortable and content in this temperature; therefore it is natural to want to have that condition as often as possible. Most people spend a lot of time in their homes and thus “room temperature” is around seventy-two degrees.
The Moon, which also is a component of the weather, seems to have an effect on mood as well. Rosemary Hargreaves, a Licensed Nurse’s Assistant at the Pleasant Valley Nursing Home notices a difference in the residents during a full moon. “The people get crankier; they get more short-tempered; they’re not as happy.” She stated that the change in the residents’ behaviors is “always for the worse” (Hargreaves). While the full moon seems to affect the general atmosphere in the nursing home, it doesn’t necessarily affect everyone. Some scientists believe the moon has an effect because the human body is composed of sixty-five percent water, and is affected by the moon as the waters of the ocean are (Kantor). Naturally, a physical imbalance would cause an imbalance in the mind. When a person is uncomfortable, it is shown through his actions and emotions. Aside from the Moon in a full state, other times during the cycle have been found to have an effect on how humans behave. “A study of 1400 suicides found that people were more likely to make an attempt on their life when there was a new moon” (“Suicide”). Humans have believed in the effect of the moon on behavior for centuries, which is obvious in the etymology of the word “lunatic,” which comes from being “affected with periodic insanity, dependent on the changes of the moon,” and the part “luna,” being associated with the Moon; the word has been in use since the thirteenth century (“Lunatic”). The word is recognized to mean, simply, someone who is not of sound mind. Therefore, the Moon is once again connected with the crazed or altered mind. While some scientists disagree that it is, in fact, the Moon affecting behavior and mood, much indicates that the Moon is the cause of these strange behaviors.
Whether it is because of association, chemical reactions, or some other mysterious connection, weather has an obvious effect on our mood. Many aspects of the weather are linked to having an effect on human behavior. These elements include seasons, lighting, temperature, and the Moon. Humans cope with emotions in different ways and often, these coping methods have to do with weather - a vacation to a warmer or cooler place, light therapy, or other changes in atmosphere. As the weather affects the human body physically, it causes changes in mood as well.
Works Cited
Carlile, Jennifer. “Jan. 24 Called Worst Day of the Year.” MSN. MSNBC. 24 Jan. 2005. Web. 19 Jan. 2010.
Feldman, Lyla. “How Weather Affects Mood.” Articlebase. Articlebase. 30 July 2008. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
Grohol, John M. “Weather Can Change Your Mood.” PsychCentral. Psych Central. 9 Nov. 2008. Web. 12 Jan. 2010.
Hargreaves, Rosemary. Personal Interview. 15 Jan. 2010.
Kantor, Marissa. “Full Moon Crazy.” Psychology Today. Psychology Today. 1 Jan. 2005. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
“Light Therapy.” Holisticonline.com. ICBS, inc. Nd. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
“Lunatic.” Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
Maloof, Rich. “Does Weather Really Affect Our Mood?” MSN. Microsoft. Nd. Web. 12 Jan. 2010.
Szalavitz, Maia. “The Most Depressing Day of the Year.” MSN. Microsoft. Nd. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.
“Suicide ‘Linked to’ the Moon.” BBC News. BBC. 6 July 2000. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
I will do my best to post Works Cited's with them. . .
Also, I will only be posting FINAL DRAFTS of papers. It makes no sense to give you the cruddy stuff.
Finally, if it has a title, it will be the LJ-cut. If it does not have a title, I will give some other sort of description -- the work being talked about plus "Untitled" or "Response," or whatever.
Without further ado, I thought we'd continue with some cause and effect. . .
Human beings are naturally emotional creatures. It is one of the defining traits of a human and part of what sets such beings apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. With emotion comes mood, or, how a person feels, which can be altered and caused by any number of things. It is widely accepted that mood can be affected by what a person eats, their exercise habits, the people with which they surround themselves, music and other things. A lesser known factor which effects mood is that of the weather and seasons. Weather can have a great effect on any person’s mood, both in negative and positive ways.
Despite the amount of research that agrees that weather has a large impact on our moods, some scientists disagree. The reason they give as to why humans are down during the unfavorable weather, which is dark, cold and often rainy, and happier during pleasant weather, described as sunny and around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, is simply because we have learned to associate bad weather with negative feelings and good weather with positive feelings. “That rain is gloom and sunshine happiness is metaphorical rather than scientific, though it rings true because we humans are inherently sympathetic to our environment. But we are not its victims. Barring a mood disorder, our emotions are not casualties of the weather. The rain can be guilty by association, but not causation” (Maloof). Even if it is only because humans associate certain types of weather with moods (which then causes them to feel those emotions), there is still that connection and process. Though perhaps not as neatly as some scientists would like, weather clearly has an effect on a human being’s mood because of the association. This association exists for a reason - because humans feel the way they do when it rains. It is quite like the chicken and egg dilemma, except rather more clear that it began with negative feelings resulting from negative weather. Despite his hesitance to agree to the relationship between good or bad weather and its accompanying emotions, Maloof admits some people are more vulnerable to the effects of weather on mood than others. Those who have an especially difficult time with their mood, specifically during darker weather, may have SAD, or, Seasonal Affective Disorder. Those who do suffer from this disorder are suggested to “‘Do things that make you feel good, like listening to uplifting music or reading a good novel. Look at pictures from a vacation-and if you can, take a vacation to a warm place’” (Maloof). This is further confirmed by the fact that “it's extremely rare to find anyone with the disorder within 30 degrees of the equator, where days are long and the sky is bright year-round” (Carlile). Weather is such a factor in mood that it has been included in a formula to mathematically determine the most depressing day of the year. Other factors included debt, monthly salary, and the time since Christmas. For the year 2010, that date has been determined to be January 18 (Szalavitz). Numerous professors and experts have done research and experiments to show how weather impacts how humans feel. Beyond this, various ways of treating those who are severely affected by the winter blues have been tried and been, in many cases, successful. While some studies have suggested weather does not effect mood enough to really matter, there are many indicators to say that it does in fact have a great impact.
With weather, comes light conditions, which makes a more scientific argument for the weather and mood phenomenon. The pineal gland, when darkness is abundant, releases melatonin, a chemical which induces the sleep cycle, is produced in greater amounts. Meanwhile, the opposite occurs in the light. In this case, more serotonin is released. Serotonin is involved in cheerful moods and being awake. “The word serotonin is rooted in serum + tonic, so it's like an elixir for happiness. Melatonin is the mel or "black" tonic, for darkness” (Maloof). Naturally, in good weather, the sun is out, and therefore, there is plenty of light. When it is rainy or during the winter, when the days are shorter and there is less light, more melatonin is produced and released, causing people to feel more tired and less cheerful. Moodiness can easily be altered, according to Maloof, despite his doubtful feelings on the relationship between weather and mood. “‘We tell people to take advantage of the sunny days,’ says Kalayjian. ‘Leave the computers and the indoor games and get out there in the sun. That's when they can recharge their batteries-recharge their serotonin-and maintain higher mood’” (Maloof). To use good weather as a sort of treatment to improve mood certainly indicates it has an effect on how humans feel. These effects are so strong that special light bulbs have been developed to aid in what is called “light therapy.” This kind of therapy is an acceptable treatment for SAD (“Light Therapy”). Full spectrum lighting mimics the sun, therefore causing the brain to produce more serotonin, which puts into motion the process described above. Because light is a great part of the weather, mostly because it is provided by the sun, it causes the weather to have an effect on how people are feeling emotionally.
Just as light predictably affects our moods, other elements of the weather have effects on human feelings. Humidity, for example, has been found to cause lethargy (Grohol). Not only this, but heat, too, can have an effect on how we feel. Consider how often individuals blame irritability on the heat. “The best temperature for humans is about 72 degrees [Fahrenheit] because it is the most temperate” (Feldman). Seventy-two degrees is about “room temperature.” The effect of such a temperature explains why humans keep their dwellings in that heated state. Men are most comfortable and content in this temperature; therefore it is natural to want to have that condition as often as possible. Most people spend a lot of time in their homes and thus “room temperature” is around seventy-two degrees.
The Moon, which also is a component of the weather, seems to have an effect on mood as well. Rosemary Hargreaves, a Licensed Nurse’s Assistant at the Pleasant Valley Nursing Home notices a difference in the residents during a full moon. “The people get crankier; they get more short-tempered; they’re not as happy.” She stated that the change in the residents’ behaviors is “always for the worse” (Hargreaves). While the full moon seems to affect the general atmosphere in the nursing home, it doesn’t necessarily affect everyone. Some scientists believe the moon has an effect because the human body is composed of sixty-five percent water, and is affected by the moon as the waters of the ocean are (Kantor). Naturally, a physical imbalance would cause an imbalance in the mind. When a person is uncomfortable, it is shown through his actions and emotions. Aside from the Moon in a full state, other times during the cycle have been found to have an effect on how humans behave. “A study of 1400 suicides found that people were more likely to make an attempt on their life when there was a new moon” (“Suicide”). Humans have believed in the effect of the moon on behavior for centuries, which is obvious in the etymology of the word “lunatic,” which comes from being “affected with periodic insanity, dependent on the changes of the moon,” and the part “luna,” being associated with the Moon; the word has been in use since the thirteenth century (“Lunatic”). The word is recognized to mean, simply, someone who is not of sound mind. Therefore, the Moon is once again connected with the crazed or altered mind. While some scientists disagree that it is, in fact, the Moon affecting behavior and mood, much indicates that the Moon is the cause of these strange behaviors.
Whether it is because of association, chemical reactions, or some other mysterious connection, weather has an obvious effect on our mood. Many aspects of the weather are linked to having an effect on human behavior. These elements include seasons, lighting, temperature, and the Moon. Humans cope with emotions in different ways and often, these coping methods have to do with weather - a vacation to a warmer or cooler place, light therapy, or other changes in atmosphere. As the weather affects the human body physically, it causes changes in mood as well.
Works Cited
Carlile, Jennifer. “Jan. 24 Called Worst Day of the Year.” MSN. MSNBC. 24 Jan. 2005. Web. 19 Jan. 2010.
Feldman, Lyla. “How Weather Affects Mood.” Articlebase. Articlebase. 30 July 2008. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
Grohol, John M. “Weather Can Change Your Mood.” PsychCentral. Psych Central. 9 Nov. 2008. Web. 12 Jan. 2010.
Hargreaves, Rosemary. Personal Interview. 15 Jan. 2010.
Kantor, Marissa. “Full Moon Crazy.” Psychology Today. Psychology Today. 1 Jan. 2005. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
“Light Therapy.” Holisticonline.com. ICBS, inc. Nd. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
“Lunatic.” Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.
Maloof, Rich. “Does Weather Really Affect Our Mood?” MSN. Microsoft. Nd. Web. 12 Jan. 2010.
Szalavitz, Maia. “The Most Depressing Day of the Year.” MSN. Microsoft. Nd. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.
“Suicide ‘Linked to’ the Moon.” BBC News. BBC. 6 July 2000. Web. 15 Jan. 2010.