There’s a simple magic to be found in getting outdoors on a wet day
Dancing in the rain is a great metaphor for meeting challenges head-on and finding a way to live through them with humour, vivacity, and grace. Hiding away from life’s storms means potentially missing an opportunity for learning and growth. And to take this thinking to its literal, physical conclusion, staying inside during wet days could be a missed opportunity to enjoy the cleansing and refreshing burst to the senses that a bout of rain has to offer. Being outdoors is a powerful tonic for mental and emotional health, so why let a few raindrops stop you from reaping the benefits?
But heading out in the rain with enthusiasm can be easier said than done. Whether it’s a soggy commute to work, walking the dog in the wet, or clouds looming over your outdoor bootcamp, it’s a normal response to look out to a grey day and feel your spirits sink a little at the prospect of getting wet.
Being outdoors is a powerful tonic for mental and emotional health, so why let a few raindrops stop you from reaping the benefits?
The most obvious first step is to dress for the occasion. A pair of boots, decent waterproof jacket, and sturdy umbrella can go a long way to improve the experience. If you walk, run, or cycle in wet weather, it’s a good idea to invest in high-vis gear to be seen by other road or path users, whose view might be impaired by the weather.
The next step is to address what’s going on in your mind when you have a negative reaction to a wet day. Learning to enjoy rainy weather is about cultivating mindfulness, according to yoga teacher Melissa Krieger, who runs Bloom Yoga Victoria on Vancouver Island. British Columbia, on the south-western coast of Canada, is famed for its wet weather. Melissa is accustomed to making the most of rainy days and says it’s about noticing how nature behaves during rainfall, from the scents given off by damp foliage to the pattering sounds of a downpour and the beauty of raindrops glistening on spiders’ webs.
‘I remind myself that Vancouver Island is so beautiful, with its lush green forests, thanks to all the rainfall we get,’ she says. ‘The forests are the best place to go when it’s raining – you get a bit of shelter and the aromas produced by the wet ground and the leaves are just incredible.
‘There’s also such a beautiful muted colour palette on a wet day, thanks to the dark skies and mist. My favourite kind of rain is that fine, misty kind where you can really feel the moisture in the air seeping into your skin.’
Melissa also says she loves the cosiness of wet weather and the excuse it can give you to slow down and not push yourself. She explains: ‘On beautiful, dry days you feel you have to be outside making the most of every second. But on a wet day there’s less pressure. You can go for a walk, enjoy the impact on your senses, then head back inside for a bath or movie. There’s something really decadent about [watching] a daytime movie in a heavy storm.’
Wet weather can provide an atmospheric backdrop that gives you the perfect excuse to get cosy and relax.
Being outside is so good for your wellbeing, even if it’s wet. Just put a jacket on, get out there and take a breath of air – you’ll feel so much better.
Coming back inside and drying off is another of the simple, mindful pleasures of a wet day. Whether you’re stripping away wet layers after exercising outdoors before having a hot shower, or nestling on the lounge with a great novel as you listen to a storm rumble outside, wet weather can provide an atmospheric backdrop that gives you the perfect excuse to get cosy and relax.
Sometimes it’s the first few moments of going out into the rain that are the most difficult, as you look outside and psych yourself up. But often – and especially if you’re wearing the right gear – you tend not to notice the less pleasant aspects once you’ve got going. As they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather – only inappropriate clothing. So the next time you see a heavy dark sky, just remember all the good that the rain can bring.
