In Virginia we have had rain and storms every day for the past two and half weeks. While I was starting to get frustrated and annoyed by the rain (cleaning dog paws every time she comes in and out is not a fun task…) I realized I needed to change how I looked at it. There are many things that rain can teach us.
1. Slow Down: Sometimes it’s good to take the time to slow down. We have all become so busy with life and work and the need to continually be moving that we forget to take the time for ourselves. We forget the importance of self-care. While we all still have work the rain should not limit the activities we may do. For example, if you run every day outside, the rain may be telling you it’s a good time to switch up activities and do some weights or HIIT workouts. It may also be a sign that we should give our body a break from exercising to rest and rejuvenate.
2. Productivity: Rain when it occurs on work days can lead to better productivity because there is no strong call to go outside. It may be that the grey day just allows you to push through things on your to-do list whether at work or home.
3. Rain is cleansing: The rain not only tamps down pollen in the spring but it also washes away impurities as well as nourishing the roots of plants. We all need to take the time to cleanse whether it’s doing a cleansing seven-day diet for your body or if it’s as simple as taking the time to clean your home. Most of us when the weather is nice would rather be outside enjoying the sunshine (at least I know that’s how I am!)
4. Hydrate! Rain reminds us that it is essential to get enough water. We as humans need to stay hydrated. Plants suck up all the water and when they don’t get enough that is when they begin to die. I saw when I lived in Arizona how the plants had learned how to ration the water they did receive in order to survive. Animals do better when streams and rivers are flowing. We humans need to stay hydrated to function at our highest potential. Without water our cells are not able to regenerate as quickly and we may find ourselves more tired and sluggish.
5. Take the time to relax! On those super rainy days (that happen to fall on weekends) it’s telling us that it is ok and necessary to take the time to relax. Or to even get some things accomplished at home that have been put off time and time again. Whether it’s getting that closet organized that’s been bugging you for ages or catching up on reading you may have been putting off. Take the time to meditate and re-center yourself! I’ve noticed that when it rains many people can’t seem to stop moving so they end up going to the mall because they don’t know what else to do with themselves. Yet there are so many possibilities. Play games, do puzzles, read, meditate, watch a movie on the couch and the list can go on.
We often see rainy days as an inconvenience to getting things done especially if we have to be out driving in it. But if we just see rain as a blessing and cleanser, we move to a higher level of being. It’s reframing our mind to see the positive in all situations. It’s all about changing our perspective. The reality is rain can make us appreciate the sunny days even more then we do. And having lived in the desert for a few years I can tell you, you beg for rainy days and a break from nice weather! So as I said it’s all about changing your perspective
Does a rainy day help you focus better when you have to work? How can you harness the rain for good? What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Good information and food for thought.