BLOWING HOT AND COLD

There is a science behind how temperature affects your energy levels and overall well-being

- Amrita Kaur

The weather in Singapore has been blowing hot and cold.

On Dec 7, the temperature in Paya Lebar reached 36.2 deg C, setting a record for the highest daily maximum temperature recorded in December. The previous high of 35.9 deg C was set in Seletar on Dec 6, 2016.

At the same time, frequent downpours, mainly due to the north-east monsoon season, made this the wettest November since rainfall data collection began in 1980, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore.

Amid these extremes, have you noticed feeling more refreshed and energised on cool, breezy days compared with hot, humid ones?

This is not just a feeling. There is a science behind how temperature affects your energy levels and overall well-being.

Dr Sarah Chan, a Chan Heng Chee Research Fellow at Singapore University of Technology and Design's Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, says cool days, being more comfortable and pleasant, help to maintain or promote positive emotions.

"When you're in a good mood, you tend to feel more motivated and enthusiastic about what you are doing. Plus, it's easier to enjoy and appreciate the smaller things in life," she says.

Dr Chan is an environmental psychologist who studies the interactions between people and their environments. Her research focuses on how environmental sustainability, technology and urban development, and human well-being affect one another.

Cooler weather encourages people to spend more time outdoors, increasing opportunities for social interactions. This combination of physical comfort, positive mood and increased social engagement is invigorating and contributes to psychological well-being, says Dr Chan.

On the flip side, heat results in thermal discomfort, which can brew negative emotions.