The Voice Of Rain Is Called To Relax Stress, Myth Or Fact?

Illustration of rain (Pexels/Min An)

Have you ever felt calm when you hear the sound of rain? This feeling is often experienced by many people, so there is an assumption that the sound of rain can relieve stress.

Related to this, some experts say that the sound of rain is closely related to a person's emotional condition. The sound of rain has a regular and predictable pattern, thus making the brain process it as a safe and calming voice.

"The brain sees the sound of rain as a non-threatening sound. That's why many people feel calmer or use it for meditation and relaxation," said mental health counselor Emily Mendez, MS, EdS, quoted from Healthline, on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

With these benefits, the sound of rain is often used in meditation videos and sleep applications. Its consistent rhythm helps reduce distraction, makes the mind more relaxed and focused.

In addition to its sound, the distinctive aroma of rain can also affect a person's emotions. This phenomed is called petrichor, which is the smell of soil that appears when it rains for the first time.

Medical Director at MidCity TMS, Dr. Bryan Bruno, MD, said that the smell has a direct relationship with emotions and memory. The smell of rain can trigger positive memories so that it has a calming effect on some people.

The sense of smell is processed through the autofactory bulk, which is directly connected to amigdala and hippocampus, two areas of the brain that are most related to emotions and memory, added Bryan Bruno.

Other explanations related to rain can relieve stress coming from the phenomenon of negative ions, which are produced when large amounts of water collides such as waterfalls, waves, or heavy rains. Some studies show negative ion vapor can help improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.