Southern California has a reputation for fantastic year-round weather. With few
day-to-day changes in temperature, San Diego is known for its lack of seasons and a beautiful, steady climate.
Despite the substantial number of sunny days, there are times when clouds come in, and
Point Loma students are forced to deal with gloomy weather.
Numerous students report feelings of lethargy when gloomy weather encompasses our
campus. Lethargy is defined as a lack of energy and enthusiasm. It is an inescapable feeling for many when the sun does not make an appearance for the day.
“Gloomy weather makes me feel very lethargic, and quite frankly unproductive.
Something about it just makes me want to sit in bed and do nothing all day,” says Breanna
Seshun, a freshman Kinesiology major.
Vitamin D is produced when a person is exposed to the sun. A gloomy day doesn’t allow
a person the opportunity to take in any form of vitamin D. According to the Cleveland Clinic’s website, vitamin D can help prevent colon, prostate and breast cancers. It will also help strengthen one’s immune system and aid in muscle function.
“Whenever it’s raining or cold, it makes me feel sad, or like I don’t want to do anything. I
feel kind of lazy,” explains Bianca Rios, a freshman nursing major.
Some students report good experiences during a gloomy day. They say that cloudy weather is
preferable and will have positive effects on them.
“Cold weather wakes me up when I’m outside. It doesn’t make me feel lethargic,” states
Brennan Ernst, a freshman literature major.
Kylee Wallentine, a freshman business major, feels wildly different from many
California residents since her hometown is in Kansas. “In Kansas, it gets below freezing for
months at a time. For that whole time, you can’t be outside, and the UV index is always zero.”
Wallentine reports seasonal depression among many people in Kansas. Without any
access to UV rays, the body lacks vitamin D to absorb calcium and create strong bones. When discussing gloomy San Diego weather, Wallentine reports, “I guess it makes me feel like it’s a cold, cozy day. I don’t feel lethargic, just relaxed.”
Other students also report a lack of negative feelings associated with a cloudy day.
“If it’s only gloomy for a day or two, I feel motivated and driven to use the day to get
chores or housework done,” says Camryn Ostrander, a freshman literature education major.
The website, Current Results, measured that San Diego has 263 total days with sun exposure.
Students are certainly unlikely to experience frequent lethargy due to gloomy days, as sunny San Diego provides high access to vitamin D.
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