Page 36 - Office VIBES® Magalogue Winter Issue

36
It’s grey, wet and windy outside so you could be forgiven for looking out the window and settling on a duvet day.
Believe it or not, there are actually mental and physical health benefits to going for a walk in the rain. When there is a downpour, plants, trees and soil release a sweet smelling scent called petrichor and research has suggested that inhaling this scent can improve our mood. It also creates an abundance of negative air ions, which is when water and air molecules collide with an extra charge, that can improve respiratory health and immunity.
If this rainy aromatherapy hasn’t
convinced you to jump off the sofa and put on your wellies and waterproofs, you might like to know that you breathe cleaner air on a wet walk. As a raindrop falls through the atmosphere, a natural phenomenon occurs whereby the droplet attracts tens to hundreds of air pollution particles such as traffic pollution. The results from a 2015 study published in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics proved just how effective rain is at reducing air pollution as the drops have the ability to attract hundreds of particles of pollutants like dander, soot, sulfates and bacteria before hitting the ground.
High levels of humidity in the air help keep your skin feeling fresh, young and supple. Some researchers believe that when humidity levels are at 43% and higher, nearly three-quarters of airborne virus particles are left powerless.
Japanese researchers published an article in the International Journal of Sports Medicine that proved when a person does physical activity in cold, rainy weather, they actually burn more calories and fat than doing the same activity in moderate weather.
It should also be a time when less people are out and about so if you are craving some peace and quiet, take a mindful stroll when the heavens open as you are much more likely to have time alone with your thoughts.
Walking in the rain may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly brings with it advantages. Go jump in a puddle, sing in the rain and make the most of the good old wet and drizzly British weather!
Source: guardian.com | www.psychologies.co.uk | www.footfiles.com