4 Key Reasons You Need to Get Out & Walk in the Rain
I have been known to stress the importance of taking a nice stroll in the rain. Because I love the rain.
But I’m a freak.
I know I’m in the minority of people who enjoy walking around in wet weather.
Just let me croon at you for a little bit and spread the gospel of why you should walk in the rain, scientifically.
- Clean Air
The jury is in. The air is cleaner when you walk in the rain. Somehow, intuitively, this makes sense. All the stuffiness is gone, and all the tension is released in the form of water falling from the sky.
As the raindrops rip down from the heavens, they collide with & absorb many particles of dust, soot, etc. in the air and rinse ’em straight into the ground.
What you’re left with is fresh, fresh air.
Next time there’s a torrential downpour, get out there and take a deep breath.
Your lungs have earned it.
2. You Burn More Calories
Believe it or not, you burn more calories in the rain. Proven by Japanese scientists in some research paper. Look it up.
I suppose the logic behind this one is that when it’s cold and rainy, the body has to churn up a little more energy to do the same work. Or something like that. Point is, results don’t lie.
If you were going to take a jog in hopes to get in better shape, doing so in the rain should only accentuate your ability to do so.
Next time you’re faced with that situation, just get out there and ride.
Your body will thank you in the form of peerless physical fitness.
3. Mental Toughness
David Goggins. Tom Brady. Myself. Think of all the great athletes who reach peak performance in the face of tough conditions, weather particularly.
Goggins has been known to train hard in any condition, rain or shine.
Brady was a tough matchup in Foxboro for much of his career, when teams from domes and sunny areas would have to enter the cold & the sleet.
I have been known to clean trash in any weather, with evidence to prove it.
In all seriousness, once you get over getting a little wet, there’s something invigorating about getting after your goals in suboptimal weather.
Something in the brain screams —
“Damn right, I am out here in this. LET’S GO!”
That doesn’t make it easy to get the legs moving up and out the door. And yet, it’s so true that you begin to love it once you know you can do it.
If you can force your way through that doorway mentally, the obstacles you can overcome become limitless.
Overcoming one small challenge builds confidence. It tells you that you can do it, and you won’t be forced down by circumstances, and once you have that? The world is yours.
Start the process next time it rains and just get out there. And see that you’re one of the few who could.
4. It’s Peaceful
That segues excellently into the final benefit, which is that it’s peaceful to be out there alone in the rain.
Too often nowadays we are bombarded by stimuli — from our phones, from others, from really everywhere.
There are so few chances to just be by yourself, with your thoughts. It’s one of the most relaxing feelings out there to be alone, breathing fresh air, just decompressing from all the stresses you face daily.
If you go on YouTube, you can find almost endless compilations of “10 Hours of Rain Sounds for Studying” or the like. It works. But there’s nothing like the real thing.
Next time it pours rain, get outside. Find somewhere sheltered.
Close your eyes and just listen to the sound.
You’ll come out on the other side feeling refreshed & rejuvenated.
It’s also a shame the camera doesn’t do it justice. The driving in rain is an almost mystical sight when you get right down to it.
If you love the rain, if you love what we do, or if you’re just feeling that type of way, follow on here, on IG @theregrowthproject, and subscribe. You are an incredible human and I actually love you more than sliced bread.
