"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass… It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Many people enjoy the sound of the pouring rain. Some find it romantic and soothing, while others find its smell pleasant for the nerves. Walking or dancing in the rain can also be a healing experience.
Though many don't like getting rained on, walking in the rain can calm your mind and release suppressed thoughts and emotions.
The rain's scent is called Petrichor, named by two Australian scientists in the 1960s, and some people describe it as a stress reliever.
This may be because the scent of rain is directly connected to the hippocampus and amygdala. The two parts of the brain are involved in emotion and memory.
Smelling Petrichor may bring up pleasant memories like splashing in puddles as a child. This sense of nostalgia can relieve stress, as explained by scientists.
The fragrance is a combination of chemicals that are released by soil-dwelling bacteria, ozone created when lightning occurs, and oils released from plants during dry seasons.
So, if you are a bit stressed or just need some time to relax and enjoy the present moment, walking in the rain is an ideal choice.
Despite lowering your stress levels, walking in the rain offers the following 7 benefits as well:
1. Air cleaner
The air becomes drastically purified and refreshed after rainfall, making it the ideal time to take a walk and enjoy it.
2. Stress reduction
The scent of the rain decrease stress levels in your body. This occurrence is known as Petrique.
3. Delivery acceptance
While walking in the rain, you tend to go into deep thought and come to peace with some aspects of your life. This moment helps us think clearly and gives us a better understanding and acceptance of our current circumstances, relationships, and more.
4. Humidity benefits your skin
Moisture in the air keeps your skin fresh and vital. According to studies, when humidity reaches 43 percent, it can also eliminate viruses from the air.
5. A different perspective
Rains tend to cleanse our emotional balance and introduce ripeness. It's when it rains that we feel like everything is coming into its place. This soothing sensation helps us in problem-solving.
6. Burn calories with ease and efficiency
Japanese researchers found that when doing physical activities in rainy weather or the cold, you burn more calories and fats than any other day.
7. A dose of life
Admit it, rain always makes you go out and get foolish and playful. And why shouldn't you? As long as you keep it warm, having fun in the rain takes you back to the good old days.
So, next time you see it raining, don't be afraid to go out. It might give you a new "lease of life!"