CAN DANCING IN THE RAIN BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH? HAPPINESS WITHIN THE GLOOMY DAYS AHEAD

by Skye Sherman | Medically Reviewed by

Christine Bishara, MD

Don’t let the rain ruin your day. Instead, embrace the opportunity to dance in the rain and discover the numerous benefits it can bring to your health and well-being. Rainy days offer a unique chance to reconnect with the natural world, allowing you to appreciate the wonders of nature and find solace in its rhythmic downpour. As raindrops cascade around you, you become fully immersed in a sensory experience like no other. The cool touch of rain on your skin, the melodious sound of droplets hitting the ground, and the mesmerizing visual display of water falling from the sky engage your senses and awaken a sense of joy within you. This sensory stimulation has a profound effect on your mood, as it activates various neural pathways and triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. As a result, you’ll find yourself smiling, laughing, and feeling a deep sense of pleasure that only dancing in the rain can bring.

But did you know that the arrival of rain doesn’t have to be a bad thing? There are actually many reasons to celebrate the arrival of rain, and one of the main ones is because dancing in the rain is not just a delightful and carefree activity; it also offers remarkable physical benefits.

Don’t let the rain ruin your day. Read on to learn more about why dancing in the rain can improve your physical and mental health in a natural way.

Drew Barrymore made dancing in the rain become trendy again

Dancing in the rain had a trendy moment when A-list celebrity Drew Barrymore posted a funny video of herself dancing in the rain and embracing a messy storm.

People reported: “While most people may choose to stay indoors when the weather turns to rain, the 47-year-old actress and talk show host showed fans she does just the opposite, sharing a video on Instagram over the weekend that showed her frolicking outside during a downpour. ‘Whenever you can go out into the rain, do not miss the opportunity!’ the smiling star said in the clip, taking off her glasses and looking up at the sky with laughter and glee.”

Millions of fans began recreating her video and posting similar videos of themselves outside frolicking in the rain. It became a viral Internet sensation, but the good news is that it’s not only fun and humorous, it can actually be beneficial to your health!

What do you need to do to dance in the rain? A playful attitude, a willingness to get silly, and the simple decision to get out there and get moving. You can skip, jump in puddles, prance, twirl, groove, shake, or make whatever movements your body desires. You don’t have to learn or know anything special because dancing in the rain doesn’t have to look pretty. It just has to feel good.

There’s just one thing you should keep in mind when dancing in the rain: it’s best to wear shoes. Not only will this protect your feet from potential hazards like glass, rocks, and sharp objects outside, it can protect against other potential dangers of going barefoot outside, such as ringworm or athlete’s foot.

While these fungal infections are easily treatable with antifungal medications like Jublia or Canesten HC Cream, it’s best to skip the pain and hassle by preventing the infection in the first place.

How dancing in the rain can benefit your mental health

Rain can be especially important to those with anxiety. That might seem counterintuitive because people with anxiety might have more to worry about when it’s raining. However, the truth is that if you switch your perspective on rain storms, they can actually be a soothing tool.

One of the most important things you can learn from a rainy day is that much of your happiness depends on your perspective. You can view a rainy day as a bummer and an inconvenience, or you can be like Drew Barrymore and celebrate the amazing opportunity Earth has provided to frolick and play during a necessary and natural earthly process.

A rainy day is simply one element of the human experience here on Earth, and it can be a happy and delightful occasion if you simply decide to make it one! Of course, those suffering from clinical depression should seek advice and treatment from a medical professional, who may be able to prescribe antidepressant medications such as Trintellix when necessary. Trintellix is manufactured by Lundbeck, the brand name for vortioxetine in Canada and sold under the brand name Brintellix in the US and EU. This drug is used to treat major depression, not anxiety. But for others, self-care activities and playful fun like dancing in the rain could make a major difference.

This is one of the best mental exercises you can perform for your mental and emotional health: switching your perspective and practicing gratitude instead of complaining. See “setbacks” as opportunities to have fun, enjoy, learn, and make the most of a situation you cannot control.

On top of all that, remember that stress is a silent killer. Stress can lead to heart disease, weight gain, and much more. So much of your mental health depends on your perspective. If you get all upset every time the weather doesn’t cooperate, you’re destined to live your life bending to the whims of the earth and your surroundings.