Benefits to singing in the Rain

Ok, what I really mean is just going out and enjoying the rain. Rain tends to trigger gloomy moods and a sense of being trapped inside. However, if temperatures allow, and it's mid-day, you may get some surprising benefits from venturing out.

Many people associate a sense of depression when rain/storm comes. Whether it be due to the barometric pressure causing spikes in joint discomfort, tinnitus, or even the darker weather causing a symptom similar to seasonal effective disorder- not many associate rain as something positive (other than the fact you may not have to irrigate your property). However, during the start and more so the end of the rain there are actually thing in the atmosphere that are conducive to positive health benefits.

There is something called negative ions that can be produced naturally in nature (and currently products are being sold that are said to emit negative ions).

What are negative ions?

In technical terms negative ions are atoms that have gained an extra electron (-). If we think back to middle school or high school (or maybe even elementary level at the rate I'm seeing) when we first studies atomic molecules we know that the positive and neutral charges tend to stay in the center and the negative particle circles around the outer perimeter. Because of this the outer layer (negative charge) is very sensitive to movement and shock especially around water especially in the presence of uv rays from the sun- typically these negatively charged ions are more commonly found near beaches, waterfalls, and near bodies of water where there is typically constant movement of water simultaneously with sun exposure that can be observed. Some say even the subtle movements of plants in a forest with the sun's rays can help in creating negative ions.

If there is negative ions- are there positive ones too?

Yes there is. And positive ones are known to be more detrimental to health. It is commonly found in areas with poor ventilation- such as office spaces and industrial areas. Mechanical devices such as computers and photocopies tend to create more positive ions in the environment which is less dispersed in closed areas. It is also what gets pent up in the atmosphere prior to storms which may end up causing negative impact on moods and joints.

What are it's benefits?

Negative ions can be absorbed cutaneous (fancy word for the skin) - or via the respiratory tract. Negative ions can help reduce pollutants, molds, and bacteria. It can increase the serotonin for the "feel good" sensation and have also been said to positively effect the cardiovascular and the respiratory system. The nitty gritty details can be found here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598548/

The positive ions have shown to cause the opposite and hence negative impact in the body as well.

So what was this disorganized article about ion really about? It was to justify my day out in the rain to seem like something medically and scientifically beneficial. With rain fall during the day, it will create therapeutic benefits similar to being around the seaside or walking alongside a waterfall- why not take advantage of it around your own home? Even without these benefits we were able to enjoy our time and that alone was a therapeutic benefit for us.