Mary Ann Hayes

 

 

As I’m feeling a bit “under the weather,” I decided to find out where that old saying came from. Old it is, apparently dating back to 1827. Since it was commonly believed that bad weather could make you sick, a person would be “under the weather” when taken ill.

The other explanation I found, and like better, is when sailors were sick they would rest below deck and were therefore literally “under the weather.”  Also, the deck on a ship was commonly referred to as the “weather bow,” so the saying may have originally been “under the weather bow.”

Either way, it’s a good saying and I believe it to be true for several reasons. First, I’ve rarely ever have taken ill in good weather. I honestly cannot remember a day where the sun was out and the air was warm and I was sick. I totally agree that cold, wet, cloudy weather is the cause of both physical and mental illness. Usually, I become both during the long, dark, Pacific Northwest winters.

Second is the fact that we hide  from the weather when we aren’t well. Everything is exaggerated when we are sick. The warm is too hot, the cool is too cold, the gentle rain is a torrential down pour. It’s best to just stay under the weather.

And then one of those magical days happen where the sun warms us to the bone, not a cloud is to be seen, and the temperature rises just enough that we shed a few of our layers. On those days, a great healing takes place. Our souls soar and we find ourselves seriously considering training for a marathon. Too bad it never lasts long enough to make it happen.

So, considering the state of this years on-set of spring, it’s no wonder I’m feeling a bit “under the weather.” I hear I’m not alone. Take care and perk up. Rumor has it we won’t be under the weather forever.

Later,

Mary Ann