How To Find Joy When It Rains
“Be your own rainbow.”- Charlie Chaplin
I am definitely affected by the weather. My energy is at its highest when the sun is out. Even in the winter, when the temperature is below zero, I can find warmth and joy in the sunshine. So as I head into an extra long stretch of dark, wet, cold, and gloomy weather, I thought it would be a good time to explore ways to find joy even when the world seems grey.
Science has found that lack of sunlight reduces levels of the happiness hormone serotonin. This reduction can contribute to feelings of sadness, fatigue, or anxiety. Also, the lack of sunlight can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to overall tiredness. To be fair, not all people are negatively affected by rainy days. Research also shows that some people enjoy the calming sounds of rain and that rainy days can promote a sense of calm. A publication by the American Psychological Association sought to identify weather reactivity linked to mood and found no clear effect from weather on mood.
Is it all in our head? It could be. As Confucius said, “you are what you think you are”, meaning that our thoughts can control our feelings and perceptions. With this in mind, I decided to put theory into practice and see if I could change my outlook and uplift my energy.
Here are some things that worked for me:
Create a cozy sanctuary: light a candle, put on comfy clothes, wrap up in a warm blanket, and brew your favorite tea or coffee. It’s time to read the book you’ve been looking forward to or watch a favorite movie. Once I settled in to this cozy mode, I was content and happy that it was raining outside.
Observe: simply sit and listen to the sounds of the rain and watch the rain come down outside. There are usually so many distractions and sounds that block out good ‘ol nature. Listening to rain can be conducive to meditation and even help deepen a practice.
Brighten up inside: the dark, grey outside is a perfect excuse to brighten up your inside. Turn on music, turn up the lights, and get your heart pumping with your favorite tunes. Dance freestyle or try an online app like my favorite Kinergy by Julianne Hough.
Connect: reach out to a friend or family member and catch up. This is one of the best ways to chase away gloom and bring feelings of joy.
In the end, all it took was a mindset shift for me to warm up to the idea that rainy days can be just as fun and fulfilling as when the sun is out.
“For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining, is let it rain.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
