Walking in the rain can be wonderful
When I was 25 I learned something that was really important: Walking and running in the rain can be really good. My neighbor Jenn was much more into fitness and running than I was. One Saturday I complained that I couldn’t run because it was supposed to rain all day. She said: “Are you kidding me?! Running in the rain is amazing!” Initially I wasn’t a believer. But later that day I decided to do an experiment.Before going out to run, I decided to pretend that running in the rain was fun, refreshing and felt good. I went out fully expecting to get wet and just tried to notice what it felt like. The ”experiment” amazed me. It taught me two very important things.
1.Running in the rain IS fun and does feel good as long as I accept that this is the experience I am heading into.
2. I can learn to like new things (especially things that I expect not to like) simply by letting myself experiment and be open to a different experience.
Last week, my client Suzanne mentioned a similar story. She told me that while visiting friends in Germany, she was shocked when they suggested that everyone take a walk at 9:00pm, after dinner AND in the rain. This sounded less than appealing to her, actually, she thought they were crazy. But, out of curiosity, she went. Suzanne experienced the same wonder as I had many years ago. That brief walk felt great to do after dinner, and the rain just made it fun and playful.
Keys to learn how to enjoy physical activity in rain:
1.If possible, change into clothes and shoes that you don’t care about geting soaked (or keep a pair in your car);
2.Umbrellas are optional, depending upon how wet you want to get.
3.If wearing eye make-up, consider removing it before venturing out.
4.If solitude and mindfulness appeal to you, do your physical activity alone; if being social sounds good, recruit a fellow adventurer.
5.Count it as exercise! And feel great that you took the time out to value yourself and create interesting experiences to enhance your sense of well-being.
