Boost your health - walk in the rain

If you live in a country that gets a lot of rain, like in the UK, then count yourself lucky.  Taking a walk outside in the wet or damp is good for your health.

1.  Firstly, there is that distinctive smell which comes from rain hitting the ground.  Called petrichor, the smell is more intense after a dry period.  A mixture of rainwater and plant compounds, breathing in this scent calms the senses and improves the mood. 

2.  The rain cleans.  One droplet attracts hundreds of air molecules and, in polluted traffic areas, this is cleansing to the air and makes it easier to breathe.

3.  When it rains, the water droplets hit the ground, break up and the molecules then pick up a charge.  These collide with the air molecules to become negatively charged and, as you are walking along, you breathe in these negatively charged ions.  These boost your immunity.   If  you can walk in an area populated by trees with wet ground underneath, the ions are more plentiful and can even help your gut microbiome.

When it’s wet or damp outside, see it as a good reason to boost your mood, calm your soul, strengthen your immunity and improve your gut microbiome by going for a walk.