Why do rainy days make us sleepy? (REAL answers please... no quoting from websites)?

I would think it's a combination of things. Much of what we do, (such as yawning when others do) is primordial. In other words it is inherited genetically from times in memorial. The lack of sunshine is a part of the equation, but it's not that in itself. What happens when it rains? The air becomes fresher and cooler. Dust and/or pollutant's are swept from the air. There is an increased oxygen level. The sound of the rain has a soothing effect on the nervous system. All of these things combine with the sub-conscience part of our minds being triggered into acting on human past experiences. Before the invention of umbrellas, electricity. Rainy days in the hunter, gatherer, farmer world were periods of inactivity. Our inner mind still responds to that, even though we have discovered and invented tools to overcome that down time. Our minds are just trying to tell us "Hey....it's raining. Time to take a break and relax.

I think that a good part of it has to do with psychological reasons, although the barometric pressure theory is certainly worth investigating. The idea of being somewhere safe and warm on a rainy day probably goes back as far as the days when our cavemen ancestors huddled around the fire. No hunting, no fishing, no tending crops today. . .hey, might as well catch a few zzzzz's.

Another probably cause is the reduced light levels. The mind associates lower amounts of light with night and sleep, so a rainy day produces a similar effect.

As far as the school enviroment is concerned, I know research has been done into color schemes to product alertness and optimum learning, but I'm not sure about humidity, barometric pressure, light levels, etc. Maybe you could get a government grant to study those things! :-)

I'm not sure about the barometric pressure that is involved but my theory has to do with the lack of sunshine. Our bodies require sunlight that makes ourselves feel more rejuvenated and upbeat mentally as well. Some people suffer with SAD which is Seasonal Affective Disorder that causes seasonal depression during the Fall and Winter months. When the days are shorter and the nights are longer, the lack of sunlight affects our mental depression. For an uplift in feeling this way, people have the option of either getting a "sunlight box or sunlight lamp" or working with bright colors in crochet, knitting or painting.

Good luck and I hope I was some what helpful.

I like Wolfeblayde's answer. I think most of the reason is psychological/cultural. Gray and rainy days give us an excuse for staying inside and relaxing.

The barometric pressure idea is interesting, but the pressure differences are so small that I think you'd be hard pressed to show any physiological change in people due to the barometer. (Unless of course you have an arthritic joint or something! :) )

You propose rain makes you sleepy, an right here i presumed i grew to become into lazy! "it feels like it extremely is raining world extensive" is an element of a music yet anymore it does no longer might desire to be raining for me to sleep, after dropping the section time activity I sit down I sleep!

I enjoy the rain, because of the sounds it makes on my roof. The weather seems to get cooler, and it feels refreshing. It just feels like a time to relax. Technically I can't explain it , I am sorry.

Particles in the air are charged negatively, that has a calming relaxing effect on the nervous system.

Most peoples body clock is contolled by sunight so perhaps the lack of bright light has an effect.

It's the lack of sunshine, rainy days are always dull and grey

Pavlov reflex. Your brain associates rain with nothing to do, so it decides to catch some zzzzs