As Mumbai`s monsoon season gets underway this May, it will only become more frequent from June for the next three months. While rainfall makes many people happy, there are others who don`t like it due to many reasons including the chaos that ensues in travel and daily life.
Interestingly, there is more that the change in season does than many may realise. Mumbai doctors say people feel low than usual as they experience monsoon blues, and it only becomes more pronounced for those who already suffer from mental health issues.
Dr Santosh Bangar, senior consultant psychiatrist at Gleneagles Hospitals in Parel, explains, “The monsoon season can take a toll on one’s mental well-being. It can trigger loneliness, low energy, and mood swings due to the lack of sunlight and limited outdoor activity. People living away from home may feel increased homesickness and isolation during gloomy weather, even without prior mental health issues, making emotional support important. Hence, people can end up feeling fatigued, may have mood swings, and become frustrated due to harsh weather conditions. Also, the wet weather limits their movement as people stay back at home. So, it is imperative to take care of the mental well-being during the monsoon.”
With the monsoon underway, mid-day spoke to Dr Bangar and Dr Simran Agrawal, US-based clinical psychologist about how the monsoon season affects mental health. They not only dived into the causes but also the effects, and how it affects people who have pre-existing mental health conditions.
How does the monsoon season affect mental health? Apart from those with mental health challenges, do people who live away from home also face it?
Agarwal: The lack of sunlight that typically accompanies prolonged periods of rain can lead to mood changes. People may feel more tired, less motivated, and generally low. Some may also experience anxiety or restlessness during persistently gloomy weather, as it can disrupt daily routines and limit outdoor activities. Overcast and dark days can affect sleep patterns by disrupting the body’s circadian rhythm, which relies on natural light cues. For those living away from home, the emotional impact may feel even more pronounced—not just due to the weather itself, but because it is compounded by distance from support systems and loved ones
What are monsoon blues, and how can one recognise the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder?
Bangar: Though many people enjoy the monsoon, some may find it difficult to navigate through this season. Monsoon blues are feelings of sadness, fatigue, or irritability due to gloomy weather. It may lead to feeling fatigued, loss of interest, oversleeping, or changes in appetite. Hence, these can be the warning signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression associated with seasonal changes, especially during prolonged rainy days or winter months.
Agarwal: It is not uncommon for people to experience brief periods of low mood or lethargy during the rainy season—often referred to as “monsoon blues”. These symptoms are typically mild, short-lived, and do not significantly impair daily functioning. In contrast, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a clinically recognised form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, often triggered by reduced sunlight. To meet diagnostic criteria, this pattern must repeat consistently for at least two years, with more seasonal than non-seasonal episodes. Symptoms of SAD are more persistent and include low energy, excessive sleep, increased appetite, weight gain, and pronounced carbohydrate cravings.
While the season affects one`s mood, is it more severe for people who already suffer with mental health issues?
Bangar: The gloomy weather during monsoon can give a tough time to people with existing mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. The lack of sunlight, disrupted routines and social isolation may impact one’s emotional health, leading to feelings of highs and lows and anxiety.
Agarwal: The emotional impact of the monsoon season can be more severe for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. Those already managing depression, anxiety, or mood disorders may find that the lack of sunlight, disrupted routines, and limited social engagement during prolonged rainy days can intensify their symptoms. The weather can act as a trigger, making it harder to regulate emotions, stay motivated, or maintain healthy coping strategies.
What can people do to keep their mental health in check? Please share tips
Bangar: To maintain mental health during the monsoon, stay active indoors, follow a structured routine and get natural light, whenever possible. Eat healthy and balanced meals inclusive of fresh vegetables, whole grains, pulses and lentils, stay connected with loved ones and limit screen time. Practice mindfulness, journaling, or deep breathing exercises. Seek help of a counselor if needed. Having a positive mindset will help one sail through the monsoon.
Agarwal: To support mental well-being during the monsoon, maintaining a consistent daily routine can go a long way. Try to get exposure to natural light when possible—sit by a window or take short walks during breaks in the rain. Avoid oversleeping, as it can worsen symptoms and increase lethargy. Even something as simple as starting the day with a set wake-up time, a short stretch, and setting an intention can help anchor the mind. For those feeling persistently low or overwhelmed, reaching out to a mental health professional can offer timely support and help prevent symptoms from worsening.
How does one manage anxiety and depression during the monsoon season? Does extended period of rain, flooding or deteriorating situation worsen it?
Bangar: To manage anxiety and depression during the monsoon, stay socially connected and engage in mood-boosting activities such as reading, gardening, listening to music, solving puzzles, painting, or learning a new skill. Do self-care, pamper yourself with a massage or a warm bath at home. Remember, rain or flooding can heighten feelings of helplessness, isolation and fear, especially in children, pregnant women and the older population, so seek timely help.
Agarwal: An extended period of rain or flooding can heighten symptoms of anxiety or depression, especially when it disrupts daily life or creates a sense of unpredictability. For some, this can trigger a loss of control or safety, intensifying emotional distress. In such moments, grounding exercises—like box breathing (inhaling for 4 counts, holding for 4, exhaling for 4, holding again for 4)—can help regulate the nervous system and reduce anxiety. It’s also helpful to recognise when news consumption crosses into overconsumption. Being mindful of how much you take in—and choosing when and how to engage—can help preserve your emotional bandwidth during times of ongoing uncertainty.