MY OBSESSION WITH the Sound of RaiN
Hey folks, before we dive into this article, let’s take a trip down memory lane to our childhood. You know, those lazy weekend afternoons after watching cartoons, when some of us preferred to lock ourselves in our rooms and play games or read comics. And let’s not forget those rainy days, when the sky was darker than our ex’s soul and the rain was pouring down like it was trying to break the record for the wettest day ever. The sound of water droplets hitting the roof and the smell of damp earth filled our nostrils, making the whole day cozy and chill for us buddies. So, my dear friends, let’s all raise a glass to those good old times and admit that we’re all in the same boat. Hahaha!
Well, I guess you could say that I’m a rain enthusiast, but let’s be real here – I’m more like a rain maniac! I’ve been obsessed with the rain ever since I was a wee lad. I still remember my glory days as a kid, when I used to go out and frolic in the rain like a madman. I mean, who wouldn’t want to dance in the rain and get soaked to the bone, right? My grandma used to get all flustered and tell me to stop, because she so afraid that I’m going to get sick. So, yeah, you could say that I’m a rain addict, always chasing that next high and never satisfied. Rain, rain, don’t go away – I’m here to stay!

Alright, so I’m gonna drop that story here first, and tell you about another experience that made me confident that I’m head over heels for rain. Here’s the thing: A few years after I living in Melbourne, Australia, I had trouble sleeping. The problem was that my work schedule was all over the place. Some days, I’d finish work early in the day, but on other days, I’d have to work late into the night. On top of that, my house was far away from my workplace, taking me about an hour and a half to commute back and forth. So, when I finished work late, I’d get home late and sometimes not hit the sack until 2 AM or 3 AM in the morning. And then, the next morning, I’d have to wake up early to get to work because it started at 10 AM. Can you believe that? I had to wake up at
Back in the day, the best time for me to catch some sleep was when I rode the train to work. Yup, both on the way there and back. But the downside of snoozing on public transit was all the annoying passengers. Whether it was people chatting away or school kids bouncing around like they were on a trampoline, I couldn’t catch a break. But what could I do? It’s public transportation, duh. So, I just had to suck it up and figure out how to catch some shut-eye, even if it was just for a tiny bit.

Back then, I invested in buying Apple AirPods Pro because they have noise-cancelling features. But then I discovered that even when I listen to music, I still can’t fall asleep. One day, I was sitting on a train trying to take a nap, but I couldn’t sleep because of all the annoying noises around me, as I mentioned earlier. And just when I thought my luck couldn’t get any worse, it started raining. Now, for those of you who aren’t live in Melbourne, this may sound strange, but for me, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. We have all four seasons in one day here. Hahaha
However, once it began to rain outside the train, It’s like I didn’t even care about the noise anymore. And then, that morning was so bright for me because I had the chance to nap for about 40 minutes before work. Moreover, this was the turning point that inspired me to write this article.
After work that day, I wanted to try to take a nap again, but the atmosphere wasn’t quite right like in the morning, you know what I mean? So, I had to figure out a way to make it work. I turned to Google and searched for ‘how to create a rain sound ambiance when it’s not raining.’ Turns out, there were plenty of hour-long clips of rain sounds on Apple Music! And the most amazing thing is that it actually worked! Even though it wasn’t really raining, listening to the rain sound from my phone made me fall asleep just as easily!
And this is the turning point I was talking about. After that, I often play rain sounds whenever I need to relax. Whether it’s before going to bed, when I want to nap, or even when I’m stressed and need to unwind.
This makes me wonder why I can fall asleep with the sound of rain from my phone. Does it really help, or is it all in my head? Maybe it’s just good luck that my education in this country taught me to investigate every doubt I have. And with my ability to use English to some extent, I can access a wealth of information on the internet. And I found a study that explains and confirms that the sound of rain does help with falling asleep.
“The RESEARCH“
here have been a few studies that have explored the effects of rain sound on sleep. One study published in the journal Sleep and Biological Rhythms found that listening to nature sounds, including rain, improved sleep quality in older adults with insomnia. Another study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that listening to nature sounds, including rain, reduced sympathetic nervous system activity and increased parasympathetic nervous system activity, which are both associated with relaxation.
Moreover, many people find the sound of rain to be soothing and calming. It turns out that there may be some scientific reasons behind this, particularly when it comes to sleep. Research suggests that the sound of rain can help people sleep better and fall asleep more easily.

One reason for this is that the sound of rain can act as a type of white noise. White noise is a consistent and steady sound that can help mask other noises in the environment that might be disruptive or distracting. By masking these sounds, rain can create a more peaceful environment that is conducive to sleep.
Additionally, the sound of rain can trigger the body’s relaxation response. This is a natural response that helps reduce stress and anxiety and can lead to feelings of calmness and relaxation. When the body is in a state of relaxation, it can be easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Some people also have positive associations with the sound of rain. They may associate it with feelings of comfort, coziness, and relaxation. These positive associations can further enhance the calming effect of rain and make it easier to drift off to sleep.
And this is the evidence and proof that I have found in my study – that the sound of rain can indeed help us fall asleep.
Another thing that I have always wondered about since I was a child, and mentioned earlier, is the need to take a shower after getting caught in the rain because it will make us sick. Is this really true? Well, I have also found the answer to this question.
“The traditional belief”
Listen up, rain-lovers! Contrary to popular belief, getting caught in the rain doesn’t automatically make you sick. However, research suggests that being in the rain for prolonged periods of time, especially in cold and wet conditions, can lower your body temperature and weaken your immune system, making it easier for pesky germs to invade and cause trouble. So, if you want to avoid catching a cold or flu, make sure to dress appropriately for the weather and stay warm and dry.
Now, what about the myth that taking a shower after being in the rain will prevent illness? Sorry to burst your bubble, but there’s no scientific evidence to support that claim. In fact, a study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found no significant association between rainfall and the incidence of respiratory infections. That being said, taking a warm shower or bath after being in cold and wet conditions can help raise your body temperature and improve circulation, which might just help you feel better. So, go ahead and sing in the rain, but don’t forget to bundle up and stay dry!

Finally, I would like to say that getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to our overall health and well-being. It’s unfortunate that many people struggle with sleeping, but if you’re one of those people, you might want to consider using the sound of rain to help you drift off to sleep. And who knows, maybe you’ll dream of a relaxing tropical vacation instead of counting sheep!
Also, if you’re like me and love the sound of rain, then you’re in luck! Using rain sounds can actually improve your sleep and help with insomnia. So if counting sheep isn’t cutting it, why not try counting raindrops instead? It’s the perfect lullaby for us pluviophiles!
So if you’re looking for a natural and side-effect-free way to improve your sleep, you may want to consider listening to the sound of rain through various channels as an alternative. For example, you can use apps, play rain playlists on your phone or computer, or even open a window to listen to the sound of rain directly from outside. Just make sure you don’t end up singing in the rain and waking up the neighbours! Hahaha
I hope this article will help everyone who is looking for a way to relax during the day or to alleviate the problem of insomnia that many people may be experiencing right now. And in this article, I will also attach a video of rain sounds that I made on YouTube, so that everyone can have another option to listen to. But be careful, you might fall asleep and miss the whole article!
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