A Walk in the Rain: Health Benefits

Do you feel like taking a walk in the rain but cancelled your plans due to your laziness? Well, I have some good news for you then which will motivate you to experience walking in the rain and enjoying its health benefits at the same time.

We all know how the monsoon season is celebrated in different parts of the world as it plays a very important role in agriculture. Today I will tell you the benefits of taking a walk in the rain and relieving your stress on an instant basis. Rain has many hidden benefits that we usually don’t pay any attention to and take it like any other season. 

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A walk in the rain health benefits 

Petrichor effect

The petrichor effect indicates the sweet pleasant smell of the soil during the first rain after a long dry period. Do you remember how William Wordsworth described the rain in one of his poems “How beautiful is the rain!” Quoting few lines from the poem:

After the dust and heat,

In the broad and fiery street,

In the narrow lane,

How beautiful is the rain!

So, the above lines not only describe the beautiful nature of rain but also refers to the chemical reaction that takes place when the first raindrops fall on the soil and release of the fresh smell in the air. This smell produces a calm and smooth effect on individuals mind and body thereby helping to relax one's body physically and mentally.  

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Boost your immune system

Walking in the rain will boost your immune system by exposing yourself to the different temperatures within the environment and life outside the house. For instance, many times we see that people catch colds easily in winter as they keep themselves cooped up. Therefore, taking a walk in the rain once in a while will help you develop a stronger immune system and improve your health status. 

Build more muscle and burn calories

You can now build more muscles and burn calories while walking on the slippery or the muddy surface when it rains. The fact underneath is that walking on the slippery surface requires using more muscles for moving your feet and legs during the movement and leads to the building of more muscle. Simultaneously you will burn more calories due to exertion of more energy required during walking on the slippery surface and reduce body fat. 

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Sound of the rain

The sound of rain acts as a natural healer for relieving stress. Sounds of rain produce a pattern of rhythmic ticking sounds like a lullaby which helps in making people fall asleep more quickly. Several studies revealed that the sound of the rain when it enters one’s mind helps the brain to produce alpha waves and helps in relaxing unconsciously. Apart from this, the sound of the falling rain leads to sound sleep which is also termed as the “pink noise”. As per the psychologists and the researchers it is a type of natural sedative that activates the mind by blocking out other sensory inputs such as trains, sirens and other noise that create disturbance in the mind. 

Note: Carry an umbrella or wear your raincoats to prevent yourself from getting drenched in the rain and getting sick.