Be honest — how much does the weather really affect your mood day to day?

A natural way to answer

I'd say it has a real, if subtle, influence. A long spell of dull weather can leave me feeling under the weather emotionally, whereas bright days genuinely lift my spirits. I try not to be entirely at the mercy of it, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't matter.

Key phrases to use

• running on empty — continuing to function despite having almost no energy or resources left“By Thursday in a grey week I'm running on empty.”
• lifts my spirits — makes you feel happier, more hopeful and more cheerful“A burst of sunshine always lifts my spirits.”
• lift my spirits — make you feel happier, more hopeful and more cheerful“Bright days genuinely lift my spirits.”
• under the weather — feeling slightly unwell or low, not your usual self“The grey skies left me feeling under the weather.”
• at the mercy of — completely unable to control or protect yourself from a powerful force“Sailors are at the mercy of the weather.”
• wrapped around its finger — completely controlled or influenced by something or someone“The weather has me wrapped around its finger.”