۴ Health Benefits of Walking in the Rain, According to Experts

When it’s raining outside, it can be tempting to stay indoors and cozy up on the couch with a good book or movie. However, if you’re feeling the urge to step outside and get moving, whether it’s because you need to simply to stretch your legs, there’s a good health-related reason to embrace the rain.

According to health experts, walking in the rain has many unexpected benefits. Here’s why three family medicine physicians say walking in a drizzle is good for your health and how you can make the most of your stroll.

Why Walking in the Rain Is Good for Your Health
The Air Quality Is Better and Cleaner
One of the main benefits of walking in the rain is that the air becomes cleaner and fresher for breathing, Neal Patel, DO, family medicine physician with Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California, told Verywell in an email. The rain can wash away pollutants and allergens in the air, especially in many large cities that are overly populated and polluted.

It’s Harder to Overheat During Exercise
In warmer environments, rainy weather can prevent you from overheating during exercise by helping to regulate body temperature more effectively, Keen said. Normally, when you exercise, your body generates heat, causing your temperature to rise. Sweating cools you down.
However, when it rains, the cooler temperatures and raindrops act as natural coolants, helping dissipate heat from your body, Keen said. “Rain would prevent overheating mostly because it cools. Also, when it rains, it is often overcast, which means the sun is not beating down on people.”

You Might Burn More Calories
There’s a chance walking in inclement weather can help you burn more calories, Eric Ascher, DO, a family medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, told Verywell in an email. That’s just because people tend to walk quicker in the rain as a motivator to not get wet, “so the body naturally works a bit harder and burns more calories,” he said.

Plus, cooler temperatures associated with rain require your body to work harder to maintain its core temperature, which can lead to higher energy and calorie expenditure to keep you warm, added Keen.
“When it’s cooler outside, your body is essentially working harder to keep your body warmer,” said Keen. “The body would burn a few more calories than when it is not raining.”

It Helps Boost Your Mood
The sound and smell of rain can have a calming effect on the mind, which can boost mood, promote relaxation, and reduce stress levels, Ascher said.
When to Avoid Walking in the Rain
There are certain situations where you should avoid walking in the rain to prioritize your safety and well-being. For instance, if you are at risk of falling, have a history of previous falls, or have trouble with balance, it’s best not to walk outside when it’s raining, Patel said.

Can You Get Sick From Walking in the Rain?
According to Ascher, you actually cannot get sick simply from walking in the rain. But if you stay in wet or cold clothing for a prolonged period of time and your body temperature lowers enough to affect your immune system, you may be at an increased risk of getting sick.

How to Make a Rainy Walk Comfortable and Safe
If you decide to walk in the rain, it’s important to take precautions against slips, falls, or blisters, Keen said. To properly prepare for a rain walk, experts recommend:
• Wear shoes with a good grip.
• Wear a rain jacket
• Wear a reflector vest or other reflective clothing.
• Use a small blinking indicator light.
• Try waterproofing spray. If you don’t have waterproof clothes, jackets, shoes, or backpacks, you can use waterproofing spray that can be applied to these items, Keen said. While waterproofing spray may not offer the same level of effectiveness as waterproof gear, it serves as a cost-efficient alternative, Keen added.
• Avoid walking in areas with a lot of tree coverage or power lines.