Today, February 5, according to the National Holiday Calendar, celebrates both Take a Shower with a Friend Day and National Weatherperson’s Day. On their face, they seem to be total opposites, but a little research almost comically can tie the two together.
National Shower Day was created as a fun way to educate people about the benefits of filtered chlorine water. The date was selected as a means of boosting moods depressed by winter’s early darkness, cold weather, and often, even during the day, grey skies. The pitch was essentially that winter’s SAD effect could be avoided by joining with a friend to take a shower. The subtle message concerned the benefits of the chlorinated water and, instead of being isolated, doing something fun with another person.
National Weatherperson’s Day, which often is referred to as National Weatherman’s Day, was established to honor the birthday of John Jeffries, one of America’s first weather observers. A scientist and a surgeon, Dr. Jeffries maintained weather records from 1774 through 1816. Beginning in 1784, he became an early user of balloon observation to track weather. Today, the holiday honors weathermen, storm chasers, meteorologists, and weather volunteers.
The two holidays go hand in hand when one realizes that it is because of weather tracking that we have learned the emotional impact of winter weather on people. That’s why, when people recoil after hearing the weatherman say “there will be another three feet of snow” or “six inches of cold, damp rain,” fun things to distract are often suggested.
Although I’m glad to pay tribute to those who analyze weather, I don’t think taking a shower with a friend could ever alleviate a negatively induced weather mood as much as seeing another weather driven phenomenon – a rainbow. What about you? When the weather gets you down, what makes you happy?