Walking in the rain is known as a relaxing activity in pop-culture but most people still dislike it for a lot of different reasons. Of course, it does have its drawbacks – it’s wet and cold, yet it can also be soothing and romantic if you’re well covered.
The smell of rain has been studied extensively by two Australian scientists in the 1960s. Petrichor is the unique name given to the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil (1). The smell itself is a mixture of chemicals that are released by oil-dwelling bacteria, plants, and the ozone.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of walking in the rain.
1. The smell of the rain refreshes the mind.
2. The air around us gets cleaner when it rains because the raindrops soak up the dust and microbes.
3. Physical activities carried out in rain burn more calories because of the extra force required to carry out the specific exercise. Exercising in the rain also helps prolong the activity because the rain can prevent us from overheating (2).
4. Rainwater is typically alkaline which is great for our skin and scalp.
5. Because fewer people go out when it rains, this makes the streets and parks less populated and gives us a more open space to run, walk, and contemplate what’s on our minds.
6. Walking in the rain can improve one’s mood. This makes walking in the rain a great thing when you feel at a crossroads and are uncertain as to what you should do.
7. To the previous point, walking in the rain is also know to make people more introspective as it creates a sort of “white noise” around them and gives them more and better time to think about their decisions.