06/08/2026
Let's take a moment to look at all of the advantages of this heavy rain we are blessed to receive this week here in Alabama.
As rain falls, it strips pollution from the air. Atmospheric pollution is one of the greatest risks to human health. Rainfall lowers the amount of particulate matter in the air by up to 30%. If it’s also windy, these effects are magnified.
The term particulate matter means anything in the air that is not a gas. So this includes organic substances such as smoke, soot, soil and dust, as well as inorganic materials such as ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate, which come from fertilisers and sodium chloride, from seawater.
Each raindrop attracts large numbers of these tiny aerosol particles and washes them away, clearing the air and improving the quality of the air we breathe.
Ever noticed the pleasant earthy smell of rain on dry earth? This is called the Petrichor effect. It’s caused by water hitting dry earth and causing the bacteria Streptomyces to produce a compound called geosmin. Humans are very sensitive to geosmin even in very small quantities, and a similar synthetic fragrance is now being added to some perfumes.
Geosmin can alleviate stress and have a calming effect. In a 2022 horticultural study, those handling soil containing Streptomyces had higher levels of the happy hormone, serotonin, as well as lower levels of the inflammatory marker, C- Reactive Protein (CRP). The treatment group was also noted to have increased alpha-band oscillatory activity in the occipital lobe. The significance of this is not known but it may correlate with cognitive function.
Many people feel a mental uplift from walking in the rain. Taking notice of the wet earth and nature around you can help shift your perspective on life.
Walking boosts levels of endorphins – substances that give the brain a natural high – whether you walk in the sun or the rain.
So, as you look at those wonderful rain clouds this week, take a moment to breathe it in and appreciate the thing that makes Earth so special, WATER!!!
https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/six-reasons-why-you-should-be-walking-in-the-rain/178191/