Can Rain Be Good For Your Bones?

It can be so romantic and relaxing…

The sound of falling rain, the calming lull of a waterfall, the invigorating effect of the ocean…

Being in close proximity to all of these is also electrifying (literally) and has profound bone health benefits.

As amazing as this sounds, it has been scientifically proven that when water moves, there is a release of negative ions – electrically charged particles that attach themselves to damaging free radicals. And most importantly, these ions alkalize your body.¹

Fresh air, and in particular the air after a rain or near a large body of water, is high quality electrified air. In contrast, the recirculated indoor air we are exposed to in windowless buildings has an abundance of positive ions.

Fortunately, there are easy ways to remedy this. I address this important topic in my blog post titled ‘Use House Plants to Prevent Bone Loss'. If you haven’t yet, I urge you to read it.

The Body Is Electric

As I write in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program:

“Because Hydrogen ions (H+) are positive and acid forming, and Hydroxyl ions (OH-) are negative and alkaline forming, alkaline and acid reactions are basically electro-chemical.”

Like all living organisms, we are not only made up of chemical reactions. We are also an entire system of astonishingly well-organized electrical reactions. And when Mother Nature gives us a helping hand, we should take good advantage of it.

Improve Your Mood, Help Your Bones

You already know the benefits of an alkaline body and how and why it is so crucial to build strong and healthy bones. But research is now revealing a whole new angle to the alkaline/acid equation that can also help your bones: breathing negatively charged air helps relieve anxiety.

Studies have shown a normalization of the brain chemistry of animals raised under conditions that caused them the equivalent of human anxiety disorders when exposed to negative ions.²

And I cannot stress enough the bone health benefits of reducing stress (pun intended!). In fact, in my previous blog post I quote from the Program that stress is an acidifying process.

So get out in the fresh air, especially after (or even during!) a rainfall. Of course, avoid slippery surfaces and wear the appropriate shoes. If you go on vacation near the sea, a river, or a lake, try to spend a good amount of time near the shore. You’ll get loads of bone-healthy alkalizing and relaxing hydroxyl ions.

But sometimes we are stuck indoors, so here are some valuable…

Tips to Avoid Indoor Pollution

• If you can’t open windows in your workplace, try to take frequent breaks and go outdoors. Many coffee shops and restaurants offer outdoor seating, especially during the summer.
• Take advantage of the weekends and spend as much time outdoors as possible (even if you’re not near a large body of water, there are a lot more negative ions outside than indoors).
• Keep one window slightly open at home, at least for a few hours.
• When you go outdoors, take a few deep breaths every once in a while.
• If you live in a true city setting, try to organize weekend “getaways” to nearby places with rural settings.

And remember, as the Roman poet Juvenal wrote,

“Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.” 

Till next time,

References

¹ Baldwin BE. “Why is fresh air fresh?” The Journal of Health and Healing 11(4):26-27. 2004.
² Livanova LM, et al. “The normalizing effect of air ions on neuroticized rats with different typological behavioral characteristics.” Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova. Mar-Apr;45(2):402-409.1995.