Exercise in the rain if you are stressed

It's not a joke, but solid advice from sports science - exercising in the rain has a host of health and mental benefits.

Jogging and other forms of exercise in the rain are actually beneficial - Photo: TB

Why is it good to exercise in the rain?

You've heard of athletes training in the rain as a way to improve their body's endurance.

You also spent your childhood playing soccer in the rain with the kids in the neighborhood.

Or simply, like running races or soccer matches that are taking place but it rains, we still have to continue playing.

In general, exercising or competing in sports in the rain is not something too terrible or unfamiliar, and comes with some controllable health risks.

But here is a very different sports science advice, for those who are feeling stressed, tense because of work, life... Exercising in the rain - which is often discouraged, in some special cases actually brings benefits.

According to research by Dr Niek Buurma, from the chemistry department of Cardiff University, light physical activities such as walking or jogging slowly in light rain can significantly improve mental health factors.

"When water droplets hit a hard surface, they break up and in the process, the droplets, the smaller water droplets, become electrically charged.

That charge, if it's negative, will have extra electrons. And those extra electrons can be picked up by molecules in the air - such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. This is how negative ions are formed.

There is quite a bit of scientific research that shows that inhaling these negative ions has a positive effect on your health, specifically improving your mood. It can be used to treat seasonal affective disorder,” says Dr. Buurma.

Not just walking

Karen Clarke, from the UK's Natural Resources Agency, explains that there are many other positive reasons to get out in the rain.

“It doesn't have to be walking, it could be cycling, jogging, or just taking a walk around your local area,” says Ms Clarke.

Cycling in the rain also brings a refreshing feeling - Photo: TA

However, studies also clearly show that the conditions for exercising in the rain are good for health: light rain, and best in suburban areas, rich in nature.

A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that exposure to natural environments, including walking in light rain, can improve the brain's executive function and reduce stress.

"Natural sounds, including rain, help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby reducing activity in brain regions associated with mood disorders and anxiety, reducing stress," according to a study published in Nature Scientific Reports.

Another study in Nature Humanities and Social Sciences Communications found that combining meditation with a natural environment, such as light rain, can enhance the effectiveness of meditation in reducing anxiety and depression.

In summary, light physical activities such as walking, jogging, cycling and meditating in the rain have been shown to improve mental health, especially for people who are stressed.

However, practitioners must always be careful in choosing the right conditions for such training, because rain always brings other risks. It is recommended that practitioners wear raincoats and cover their heads.

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hay-tap-the-duc-duoi-mua-neu-ban-dang-stress-20250526213110147.htm