Walking in the Rain
Caryn Hibbert, owner, Founder and Creative Director of Thyme, shares her reflections on the benefits of a wet weather walk.
There's a unique magic to autumn, a new crisp chill in the air, blustery blue-grey skies, scudding clouds and falling leaves of golden yellows, burnt orange and crimson red. We know that spending time in nature can have a profound impact on our wellbeing, and autumn offers its own healing beauty.
Autumn is also our wettest season and the temptation is, when it looks like rain, to play safe and stay indoors - but knowing the benefits of walking in the rain might tempt us to be a little bit braver, to get out and about even on the wettest of days.
A wet autumn walk engages all the senses. The smell of damp earth, the sound of raindrops tapping on leaves, and the sight of mist rolling through the woodlands and fields combine to create a sensory feast that can lift our spirits. But it's not just the aesthetic beauty that benefits us—there's a science behind why we feel so good while walking in the rain.
Firstly the sound of raindrops falling around us creates a reassuring rhythm: a white noise that not only calms and soothes, but is beneficial to focused and creative thought. It’s been used in technology to play to babies to help them sleep, and in some apps to help reduce stress and anxiety. But there is nothing better than the real thing: physically being in the rain is immensely therapeutic.
Exercising in cooler, wet conditions can offer distinct advantages over working out in warmer, drier weather. Research suggests that moderate exposure to different weather conditions, including rain, can "train" the body to adapt to environmental stressors, thereby enhancing its immune function. Moreover, the fresh, cool air during a rainstorm is often cleaner and less polluted, providing respiratory benefits that can further support overall health.
Interestingly, rainstorms not only reduce air pollution, they are natural generators of negative ions—molecules that, when inhaled, have been shown to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, and higher levels of it are associated with feelings of happiness and calm. Studies have demonstrated that exposure to environments rich in negative ions, such as near waterfalls, oceans, and during rainstorms, can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, leading to a more positive outlook on life.
And as we march through the rain, there is the distinct, fresh earthy scent that rises from the ground known as petrichor. It inspires us to breathe deeply, and together with our sense of smell which is closely linked with memory and emotion, has the remarkable ability to switch off our stress response without the need for conscious thought. It makes petrichor an immensely healing scent but it also has intriguing chemical origins in geosmin and plant oils, both of which have tangible psychological and health benefits: reducing stress, promoting mindfulness and supporting immune health. And last but not least, there are, of course, muddy puddles - it’s such fun to bring out our inner child, lose our inhibitions and splash about. All we need is a really good pair of wellies!