Admit it. When you hear the pitter-patter of raindrops on your window, or feel wet droplets hit your shoulders and the ground around you, the first instinct you have is to pull up the hood of your sweatshirt or pull out the umbrella from the depths of your bag.  The questions is, why is everyone so afraid of the rain?  Is it because it will mat your hair, or ruin your new faux-leather bag? Or is it because it will make your new Jordan’s muddied and imperfect? Either way, hiding under the rain can actually prevent you from health benefits. Rain water and being in rainy weather can benefit your health.

It’s all about science. Rain water contains negative ions, and for those of you who aren’t science people or don’t see how there can be positives in something with “negative” in the name, negative ions produce a net positive effect on our health. These special ions are created in moving water, and are tasteless, odorless and invisible molecules that we breathe in when we are in environments with moving water.  After entering the bloodstream, they create “biochemical reactions that help to relieve stress, alleviate depression, and even boost our energy” says Patty Peoples of Redlands Daily Facts, an International Sport Science Association fitness nutrition specialist. The greatest thing about it, is that this medication to make you feel good is free and right outside your door (on a rainy day that is), and there are virtually no side effects besides having wet shoes or frizzy, matted hair.

I have always loved rainy weather, and now I know the science behind it.  In fact, I can directly relate to the part about relieving stress just by being outside in the rain. It is also comforting that I am not the only one who says that rain makes them happy, because whenever I tell someone I love when it rains, I receive the “Are you serious?” face.  I think that people should take advantage of the positive effect of rain and negative ions more often, especially because it boosts depression and relieves stress. Next time the sky is overcast and the rain starts falling, I challenge everyone to go outside and asses your mood after 10 minutes in the rain.  Remember, the only down side is wet *changeable* clothing.

~Ali