Try exercising in the rain if you're stressed.

It's not a joke, but serious advice from sports science experts – that exercising in the rain offers numerous health and mental benefits.

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

Why is exercising in the rain good?

You may have heard about athletes training in the rain as a way to improve their physical resilience.

You also had a childhood playing soccer in the rain with the neighborhood kids.

Or, more simply, consider amateur running events or football matches where it starts raining, but you still have to keep playing.

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

But this is a very different kind of sports science advice, for those who are feeling stressed and anxious because of work, life, etc. Exercising in the rain – which is often discouraged – can actually be beneficial in some specific cases.

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

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

That charge, if negative, will have extra electrons. And these extra electrons can be collected by molecules in the air—such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. This is how negative ions are formed.

There are quite a few scientific studies showing that inhaling these negative ions has a positive impact on your health, specifically improving your mood. It can be used to treat seasonal affective disorder," said Dr. Buurma.

Not just walking

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

"It doesn't have to be walking; it could be cycling, jogging, or just strolling around your local area," said Clarke.

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

However, studies also indicate that the ideal conditions for exercising in the rain are light rain, and ideally in suburban areas with abundant natural light.

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

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

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

In summary, gentle physical activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, and meditating in the rain have been shown to improve mental health, especially for those experiencing stress.

However, exercisers should always be cautious in choosing suitable conditions for such training, as rain always brings other risks. It is advised that exercisers wear a raincoat and cover their heads completely.

HUY DANG

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