Why Walking in the Rain is Good for You!
If you ever get caught in a rain shower while out walking, don't be in too much of a hurry to cover up with raincoat, hood and umbrella! It is actually good for you to soak up some rain on your hair, your face and your skin...
The benefits of walking in the rain
if you're looking for fresh air, there's no better time to go for a walk than a rainy day, because rain improves air quality. As the rain falls, the droplets attract and wash away tens of thousands of polluting particles from the air. Sadly, these particles can be very harmful if they are small enough to penetrate deep into our lungs when we inhale them.
I have written before about that wonderful, earthy smell just after it's rained which occurs as raindrops hit dusty or clay soils, releasing tiny air bubbles that scent the air.
Known as petrichor (from the Greek word 'petra' meaning stone and 'ichor' the fluid that in Greek mythology flowed through the veins of the immortals). Its main component is a chemical called geosmin made by bacteria in the soil. it is said that inhaling geosmin has health benefits too, adding to your feeling of wellbeing by raising the levels of the mood-boosting chemical serotonin in your blood and reducing levels of C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation that's linked to depression).
Just as a postscript, getting rain water on your hair when out walking in the rain is another benefit. Rain water is naturally soft and contains minerals that can help to nourish your scalp and hair strands. if you have dry or damaged hair, the moisture in rain water can also help to hydrate and revitalize your locks.
Our Simply Hair Oil is another idea for your hair! Made from a blend of pure natural essential oils, the Formula also contains Moroccan Argan Oil, helping to make your hair softer, silkier and shinier as well as taming any frizz. Take care of your hair the natural way and cherish your crowning glory!
More benefits, this time from walking backwards
Walking backwards is a technique that has been used in physiotherapy for many years to help to rehabilitate lower leg injuries.
- It can help to improve your gait, your balance and your mobility.
- In addition, studies have found that walking backwards can sharpen your memory. Researchers have found that there is a possibility that when you walk backwards physically, it also helps you 'walk back' mentally, retrieving memories from something you did earlier.
- Walking backwards can be done on a treadmill, but with care you can do it safely in your own home or outside.
If you want to try out this new idea, then start slowly, doing a few steps before building up. Another idea is to try it with a partner: the idea is that you face each other, holding hands, so while you are walking backwards they are walking forwards. Then you swap.
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Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.