How to Make the Most of Early Autumn Storms
As September opens and our thoughts turn toward impending autumn, Utah has seen a host of spectacular thunderstorms. Even our Nature and Human Health community fair was rained out with quite the August squall! Our entire mission at NHH-UT is to convey the health benefits of spending time in nature, and to help our communities find ways to bring the outdoors into their varied lives. But does all that have to end when the fair summer weather gives way to autumn storms?
Some love the excitement of a good storm, while others can’t wait for the sun to return. Whatever your stance, it’s important to remember two things:
Rain is always a good thing in a drought-state! As the drought division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources says, “in Utah, we are either in drought or preparing for the next one.” Welcoming rain is just part of living in the dry west.
If you don’t already appreciate storms or if you simply want to deepen your appreciation, you can always learn new ways to enjoy a thunderstorm!
According to Wallace J. Nichols, author of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, rain is included in one of seven categories of water sounds called Wild Blue Mind, consisting of natural water sounds that provide these various health benefits. He tells us that the sound of rain opens our minds up to access what’s called the default mode network, a function related to contemplation, the processing of experience, memory formation and more (Nichols, 2014).
With so much to gain, leaning into a rainy season seems like a great idea for all of us. Here are some ideas to help you tune in and enjoy the next downpour:
Engage All Five Senses
Probably the best way to enjoy a storm is to focus on engaging the senses. After all, storms are quite sensational! What can you see, hear, touch, smell, or taste during a good storm?
See
Humans are highly visual, and sight might be the most natural sense to engage in a storm. You might watch the clouds roll in, see the drops begin to wet the sidewalk or hit the windows, and (from safe indoors!) watch in awe as lightning radiates across the sky. Afterward, you may be so lucky as to see a rainbow! Noticing the visuals of a storm may come quite naturally, but not everyone takes the time to really watch things unfold. The art of simply noticing the elements of a storm can be very pleasant.
Hear
Most people find the sound of rain, when they’re paying attention to it, to be pleasant and calming. There may be a good reason that rain is a quintessential “relaxing sound” on many sound machines and meditation apps. Even just for a moment or two, try tuning into the sound of rain and thunder, coming back to it whenever you notice your mind wandering.
Touch
If there isn’t any danger of lightning, walking in or standing out in the rain can be an exhilarating experience. Our bodies send all kinds of messages to the brain, and our skin is one big receptor for all kinds of stimuli including pressure, temperature, and movement. Take a moment to notice how cool or warm the rain drops are, how large or small, the pressure with which they hit your skin, and how they drip down different parts of your body.
Smell
Can you pull up the smell of rain easily in your memory? The olfactory stimuli (i.e., smell) of rain is powerful for humans, and we are particularly sensitive to petrichor—the smell of rain that largely stems from components in plant matter and soil. Smell is a unique sense in that it bypasses the thalamus and goes straight to the limbic system, which plays a large role in both emotion and memory (Nichols, 2014). Next time rain is on its way, pay closer attention to how the air smells before, during, and after the storm to enrich your experience.
Taste
Taste is highly correlated to smell. One way to engage the taste sense during a storm is when you’re out smelling the air, have some fun and stick out your tongue! However, it’s generally not advised to drink large amounts of rain water, especially standing water. A better way to engage the sense of taste might be to make a comforting tea or snack every time it rains to create a strong association and pleasant tradition.
Reflect and Replenish
Just like a hard rain replenishes aquifers and waters plant life, a good storm can be an excellent time to do similar things for ourselves. What in your life needs replenishing? What would fill your cup? From the smallest seeds to the most established trees, what needs a little extra nourishment to grow? With rain bringing potential for the aforementioned default mode network to kick into gear, it’s a great time to journal, plan, reflect, and reset.
Take a Time Out from Tech
Another way a storm can feel special is to set it apart from other times in life while indoors. Taking a break from the usual role digital technologies play in your life can make “storm time” feel different than other times, allowing you to focus on other things. Even without a power outage, you can turn off the TV, put the phone in a drawer, and use the time differently than usual for a break in routine. You can even turn off the lights and light candles if you really want to go for it!
Numerous studies explore the potential detriments of living too much of one’s life online and the benefits of disconnecting from time to time. Taking a tech-break can allow for the above recommendations as well—engaging our senses and doing some reflection. In addition to trying out some mindfulness or journaling, consider using the time to connect with others in your household, read a good book, cook a good meal, or work on something creative with your hands, like knitting or playing an instrument.
Stay Safe
When talking about how to enjoy thunderstorms, we’d be remiss not to include notes on how to ensure your safety. It’s hard to feel any benefits of nature exposure when we’re afraid or in danger! The National Weather Service advises that whenever possible, it’s important to get or stay indoors, or inside a vehicle with the windows up (if this isn’t possible, be sure to familiarize yourself with their safety protocol when stuck outside!) They also recommend staying indoors for 30 minutes following that last sound of thunder. Even when safely indoors, there are some important things to remember:
Stay off corded electronics that connect you directly to electrical sources.
Avoid interacting with plumping—shower once the showers have passed!
While it may be tempting to watch the storm from the porch, lightning could still reach you there. If you can hear thunder, lighting can reach you!
Enjoy!
Even if some of your late summer plans get rained out this season, we hope some of the above can help you enjoy the rains when they come, and make the most of them.