We all know the pleasures of staying inside, dry and cozy, as rain winds down the windows. But there may actually be some surprising health benefits to getting out and taking a walk in the rain.

Consider The Air

At the beginning of a rain shower, water droplets falling toward the ground can absorb suspended particles of dust or pollutants hanging in the air, rendering the air cleaner by up to 30%. Interestingly, according to an MIT study, smaller rain droplets are more effective at attracting particles, and a low relative humidity helps the process.

Science Of The Splash

Walking in the rain might also make you feel a little better. Not necessarily like Gene Kelly “Singin’ In The Rain” level, but better.

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It all comes down to the science of what happens when raindrops splash on the ground. When they do, they produce negatively charged ions in the air. These invisible molecules are abundant anywhere air molecules are broken up by moving water (such as rivers, waterfalls, beaches and mountains), and some studies have found that exposure to them can positively affect mental health.

"There are quite a lot of scientific studies that suggest that inhaling these negative ions has a positive effect on your health," Dr. Nick Buurma, of Cardiff University’s School of Chemistry, told the BBC, continuing, "Nobody really knows exactly why that happens. But there are clear indications that people feel more positive after inhaling negative ions."

Who Shouldn’t Walk In The Rain

It’s important to note that if you’re going to walk in the rain, be sure to have rain gear, shoes with good traction and reflective clothing or a blinking light. And if you are at risk for falling, have a wound or have other health issues, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about what is safe for you to do.

Will Walking In The Rain Make You Sick?

Finally, the question that’s on all of our minds: If you walk in the rain, will you develop a cold? Well, colds are caused by viruses, not rain, so the answer is no.

However, if you are cold and wet for long periods of time, it may impact your immune system’s ability to fight off viruses. For that reason, you’ll want to make sure you dry off and possibly change clothes once your walk is over (all part of that being cozy indoors I mentioned at the beginning of this article).

Senior writer Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s newsletter.