7 reasons to get out in the rain
It’s time to reclaim the rain. No more hiding from the elements. No more settling for the sofa because you don’t want to get wet. And definitely no more sheltering indoors when you can pound through puddles instead.
It turns out that going out in the rain, either for a walk or a run, is even more beneficial than the pleasant, dry weather adventures we all seem to crave. If you’ve been thinking that wet-weather exercise was somehow bad for you, or unpleasant, or just not your style, here’s why you should rethink that approach.
Seven reasons to reclaim the rain
The benefits of getting out in the rain have been proven by research. They include:
1. It’s cleaner and fresher – fact. In 2015, scientists at MIT found raindrops act as Mother Nature’s professional cleaners. Each raindrop “can attract tens to hundreds of tiny aerosol particles to its surface.” Pollutants like soot, sulfates and organic particles are all cleared away. Breathe it in.
2. You’ll have extra motivation. Every time you exercise, you burn calories. That much is obvious. What’s less obvious is that running in the rain burns more calories than running in dry, moderate weather. A 2013 study by researchers in Japan compared two groups of runners. One group was asked to run at 70% VO2 max for 30 minutes in dry conditions. The other group ran at the same intensity, for the same amount of time, in wet conditions. Those running in the rain used more oxygen and the research indicated that “energy demand increases when running in cold conditions.”
3. It smells great – and calms you down. You know that distinctive smell when you go out after it’s been raining? Humans around the world are proven to react positively to it. Known as petrichor, the scent is created by Streptomyces, a bacteria found in droves in almost all healthy soil. When rain hits the ground, Streptomyces uses it to release a molecule called geosmin. And human noses go wild for geosmin. In fact, it’s increasingly used as a perfume ingredient. But getting outdoors is way cheaper than stocking up on scent, so keep your hiking boots or running shoes at the ready.
4. Forget what your mom says. You definitely cannot get sick. When you were young, your parents shouted: “You’ll catch a cold dressed like that.” And since then, the idea that wet weather means a likely spell of ill health has been burned in your brain. But there’s good news: it’s all a myth. Johns Hopkins Medicine is unequivocal. “Contrary to popular belief,” it says, “cold weather or being chilled doesn’t cause a cold.” The reason we appear to get more colds when the rainy season arrives is because we tend to spend more time indoors, where airborne virus transmission is much more prevalent. It’s got absolutely nothing to do with whether you got wet on your last 5K or mountain stroll.
5. You’ll feel healthier. It’s now well established that spending time outdoors reduces the stress hormone cortisol. It is also linked with improved sleep, mood, and cognition. Throw in lower blood pressure and fewer cases of depression, and the arguments for staying inside become weaker and weaker. Just 20 minutes a day, or two hours a week, is enough for the benefits to really kick in. Running or walking doesn’t matter. Just get outside. 6. You’ll be more creative. Even if you just walk, you’ll see an uplift in your creativity levels (check out this paper from Marily Oppezzo and Daniel Schwartz from Stanford University). But running, or being outdoors for an extended period of time, has been shown to deliver even more significant results. When it comes to the research, there’s now no doubt: movement boosts creativity.
7. It takes you back to the good times. Yes, that’s right. A research paper published in 2018 found that a) adverse weather evokes nostalgia, and b) that nostalgia is positively associated with psychological benefits. So don’t hesitate to stroll (or run) down Memory Lane, whatever the weather. So, you’re all set. The weather is not going to hold you back. Just make sure you’re kitted out appropriately. Favorites like the Cloud 5 Waterproof and the Parka never go out of fashion. But there are plenty of other options, too.
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