Wasted another day feeling unproductive because of the rain? Try these 5 tricks​

‘Tomorrow, 60% chance of rain’-a modern-day signifier of another unproductive day. No matter which part of the world one is in, one thing is undeniable: rain looks pretty until and unless you don’t need to go out for work in the rain or live on the street witnessing rain 24*7. If it’s raining outside and one is stuck at home, it can affect them in two ways,two completely opposite feelings: either bringing a cozy, reflective atmosphere or a feeling of mental sluggishness and unproductivity. That clouded, heavy-headed sensation isn’t just in your mind-rainy weather affects the brain and body in complex ways that can lower motivation, focus, and energy levels. Here are 5 things that can effectively help one feel better when it’s pouring outside.

Have you ever thought , why sticky notes are yellow in colour ? Why does a gray coloured room look too shady to enter ? Colors influence our emotions in subtle but powerful ways. Wearing bright colors like yellow or orange or surrounding oneself with warm lighting and decor can bring positive feelings and energy. Even painting nails or setting laptop wallpaper to vibrant colours can trick our mind into feeling better and more optimistic, counteracting the dullness that rainy days impose.

Even though on rainy days, it does not feel like cooking either, cooking engages multiple senses—sight, smell, touch, and taste—which distracts from negative thoughts and grounds one’s mind in the present moment. The act of preparing food also gives a sense of accomplishment; the moment it comes to season the food and look at the ‘final look’, it gives a feeling of achieving something. Neurochemically, tasting and smelling pleasing foods can release dopamine, linked to pleasure and reward. Trying a new recipe adds novelty, increasing engagement and breaking the monotony that rainy days can bring. It also often makes one feel productive.

If school gets cancelled, or work gets postponed because of rain, instead of rotting on the bed, take out that coloured pen set, whose ink is almost on the verge of getting dried now, and start scribbling without being bound by any hard and fast rules. Rain offers a reflective atmosphere. Writing thoughts and feelings in a journal can reduce stress and repetitive negative thinking that fuels depression. Journaling helps organize emotions, promotes self-awareness, and gives a way out of solving the problems. Psychologically, putting thoughts into words shifts brain activity, lightening emotional burdens. Try focusing on gratitude or positive moments to reframe your mindset. This mental decluttering lifts weighty feelings and opens space for optimism.

Waking up in the morning, the first time our eyes move outside the room to the sky, if it’s gloomy or cloudy, all the sleep warriors in our body dictate pulling the curtains down and going back to sleep. Naturally, rainy days reduce sunlight exposure. Sunlight is vital for serotonin production, the ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter linked to happiness and calmness. When there is no sunlight, serotonin levels drop automatically, leading to low mood or even seasonal depression. If natural light is limited, try to use bright artificial lights or light therapy lamps to fill out the presence of sunlight. This helps regulate the body clock and lifts mood by boosting serotonin. Brightening the surrounding can make a significant psychological impact by counteracting darkness-induced lethargy and sadness.

Imagine picking up a Ruskin Bond book, be it Rain in the Mountains or The Blue Umbrella, something that resonates with the environment outside. Gradually it helps in immersing oneself into the book in a way that they start romanticizing nature through the writer’s lens . On the other hand, if one wants to change their mood completely, reading non-fiction books can transport their mind away from rainy-day gloom. Psychological research shows that reading fiction enhances empathy and emotional understanding, while motivational non-fiction gives boost to hope. Based on one’s mood and purpose of reading, one should pick the right book either to travel away from the rain or to enjoy the rain sitting in the corner of their room.