Does Rain Better Sleep Conditions?

Rainy weather can be very controversial. Many think that the wet socks and the drop in temperature can be annoying, while others enjoy the peace and sounds that come with rain. However, nobody can disagree that when you’re in bed and raindrops are splashing the ground, everything seems to melt away as you drift asleep, giving you some of the best sleep you have had in a while.

Due to its rhythmic pitter-patter pattern, rain can help soothe and reduce the stress of the listeners. This sound stops our brain from releasing any stress hormones and causes us to be less tense. Since no stress hormones are released, our brain and body begin to relax, allowing us to fall asleep more easily.

The sound of rain can also help cover any external background noise that may be distracting you. When you are sleeping your brain takes in all the background noise and disturbs your sleep, but the brain cannot do so when it is raining. .

The atmosphere during a rainy day can also be attributed to why people sleep better when it is raining. There are not many times when you find sunlight coming through clouds during a rainstorm, which causes people to become more tired. According to Women & Home, “our brain's pineal gland begins to secrete a hormone called melatonin when it gets dark outside … this is what signals to us that we’re tired and it’s time for bed.” During a rainstorm, the body reacts the exact same way and we grow drowsy, even if it is in the middle of the day.

Rain is caused by a sudden drop in air pressure. This drop can cause us to become more fatigued and tired, which is similar to what occurs when you are in high-altitude places, such as Colorado, except altitude sickness and headaches don’t appear during a rainstorm.

The sounds of rain aren’t the only contributing factor to better sleep, but two most popular types are heavy rain (white noise) and steady rain (pink noise). Similar sounds that help people sleep include nature sounds and waves crashing on a beach. All of these have been popularized by many meditative apps and become a staple for people struggling to fall asleep.