- Hello Nastya! You don't look very good!

- Hi Kate! Oh, I have a terrible headache probably because of the change in

weather.
- Yes, maybe. Sometimes I’m also feeling a bit under the weather. You know,
studies have shown that changeable weather can make it hard to concentrate,
cloudy skies slow down reflexes, and high humidity with hot, dry winds makes
many people irritable and snappy.
- To tell the truth, weather affects where we choose to live, what we wear, our
moods, and perhaps even our national characteristics. A sunny day can relieve the
deepest depression, while extreme weather can destroy homes and threaten lives.
- Some suggest that the weather also leaves its mark on the character, giving
people from the same region similar temperaments, although it seems that
economic, political and social factors are likely to have a much stronger effect than
the weather.
- Probably yes. By the way. The weather is changing all the time. In modern
times, human activity seems to be altering weather patterns. Gases produced by
heavy industry change the temperature of the Earth’s surface and affect cloud
formation.
- That’s terrible, and probably human activity causes extreme weather that
regularly wreaks havoc on the environment and population. Sandstorms, tornadoes,
blizzards and flash floods regularly kill thousands of people and leave many others
homeless.
- Yes! Also, droughts, heavy frosts and dust storms damage the farm, leading to
crop failure. The weather also depends on the operation of air and water, so people
are sometimes forced to cancel important trips.
- Well, now people can easily see the weather forecast. Today’s methods of
prediction increasingly rely on technology. Satellites, balloons, ships, aircraft and
weather centres with sensitive monitoring equipment, send data to computers. The
data is then processed, and the weather predicted.
- However, this was not always the case. The human race has always tried to
guess the weather. Have you ever heard two popular traditional ways of forecasting
the weather used pine cones and seaweed? When the air has a high level of
humidity there is a higher chance of rain when the humidity is low, there is more
chance of fine weather.
- That’s quite interesting. By the way, have you ever notice that as raindrops
from the sky, your mood sometimes drops, too? Few people in northern countries
enjoy the long, nights and cold temperatures of winter. According to scientists,
wintery conditions may be making some people ill.
- I guess they suffer from Seasonal Affective Disord. As I know the symptoms
can be very serious and may be mistaken for signs of mental illness. The further
you live from the equator, the more likely you are to be affected by SAD.
- Yes. Research had shown that there was a simple and effective cure – light.
The problems seem to be caused by lack of the light rather than by low
temperatures.
- It seems that some people feel the desire to hibernate in winter in the same
way that many animals do. The lightbox can help to keep their behaviour in
balance. But, what kind of impact does sunshine have on us and why?
- I have read that the sun primarily creates more positive moods and creates a
sense of vitality. When it`s sunny we tend to be more likely to be active and be
going out and doing things and sharing experiences with others. In your opinion,
what's the minimum amount of time you should spend outside in nice weather to
start feeling its benefits?
- When it`s good weather people have found that you don`t reap any mood
benefits from sunny days unless you spend at least 30 minutes outside. I believe
walking is the best way to avoid SAD as well as to consume vitamins.
- Agree with you. I hope you won't have any problems due to weather changes.
And if they do, you know how to solve it.
- That’s right! Thank you very much! See you!
- See you too.