Why do so many people find thunderstorms relaxing?

[Lauren]

I'm one of those people who can feel so completely alive durng a thunderstorm but find them incredibly relaxing too. I know that people finding storms relaxin and using the sounds as sleep aids is incredibly common and I was wondering if anyone knew the science behind it?

[stewfox]

For me the associated heavy rain, I feel less guilty doing nothing ie going shopping, mowing the lawn etc Re sleep aid can drown partners snoring out.

[Thundery wintry showers]

One factor is that you may end up focusing your attention on the thunderstorm and being fully present, and therefore relegating thoughts about potentially stressful matters.

Edited October 3, 2016 by Thundery wintry showers

[Seasonality]

It could be the negative ions generated. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_air_ionization_therapy

[MP-R]

Don't know if relaxing is the operative word for me haha, I get rather excited. However, just the sound of rain when going to bed is quite nice to listen to.

[cheeky_monkey]

i never met anyone who finds t-storms relaxing...must be missing something here

[Lauren]

3 hours ago, cheeky_monkey said:

i never met anyone who finds t-storms relaxing...must be missing something here

It is a pretty common feeling. There are literally thousands of videos on YT of storm sounds for relaxation. A lot of people on here have said they are relaxing.

 

I do as well as finding them exhilarating. 

[Delka]

I find them anything but relaxing, if we get a thunderstorm I'm running from window to window around the house in joy!

[cheese]

I wouldn't say I find them relaxing but I do understand where you're coming from. Personally, thunderstorms remind me a lot of childhood - pushing up the living room chair to the window and watching as the storm unfolds in front of me, or resting my head on the windowsill.. your mind focuses on that and nothing else at the time.

My mum finds them relaxing because she likes the sound of rain and thunder at night - helps her sleep apparently. 

Edited October 4, 2016 by cheese

[Dami]

Never found storms to be relaxing, up and down, every window peered though, outside watching running back in when it rains. get a good workout when we get our yearly storm.

[Supacell]

If a storm is in progress then I am far from relaxed, full of adrenaline and excitement. However, I find the sound of rain on the windows relaxing and the sound of thunder and rain very relaxing if its recorded. If it's actually happening I feel compelled to watch it and film it.

[Spikecollie]

I'm now have mixed emotions about storms. I love watching them over our hills here in Limousin and often sit out in the garden when there are such storms - it is indeed very relaxing and grounding. When they are overhead, I can get quite anxious as I've had a lightning strike on my phone line here and I would not want a repeat experience - the event itself was terrifying and the aftermath of ongoing diagnosis and repairs with no phone was very stressful. I'm much more relaxed when my OH is here because it's quite daunting being alone when the power goes out as we tend to lose everything - power, phone and 3/4G. Don't forget we got the full force of the supercell(s) of July 2015 right over our house in the Aire Valley too...spectacular, but I'm glad I wasn't alone.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Spikecollie

[Lauren]

It's funny because I get so excited when we have a storm, but I could equally lie in bed and drift off into a deep sleep hearing one outside. Come to think of it I do't think anything else makes me feel quite so energised and relaxed at the same time.

[virtualsphere]

It depends on the type of storm as well.  I guess that an elevated MCS with mainly distant CC lightning and continuous heavy rain could well be relaxing although these are few and far between here.  We're more prone to thundery hail showers and short sharp pulse storms in autumn and winter off the Atlantic, which usually involve the odd random loud close CG strike followed by heavy hail and sudden gusty winds - certainly can be exciting but not too relaxing

[Grimers]

On 10/4/2016 at 17:03, Dami said:

Never found storms to be relaxing, up and down, every window peered though, outside watching running back in when it rains. get a good workout when we get our yearly storm.

Yes, I'm exactly the same. I find that I'm exhausted after a thunderstorm after feeling excited and running outside to enjoy it but also indoors to check the rainfall radar and back outside again etc.

Edited October 6, 2016 by Grimers

[Lauren]

9 hours ago, virtualsphere said:

It depends on the type of storm as well.  I guess that an elevated MCS with mainly distant CC lightning and continuous heavy rain could well be relaxing although these are few and far between here.  We're more prone to thundery hail showers and short sharp pulse storms in autumn and winter off the Atlantic, which usually involve the odd random loud close CG strike followed by heavy hail and sudden gusty winds - certainly can be exciting but not too relaxing

Yes, I think you're right. The heavy yet more distance ones are sooooooo relaxing, but the loud, flashy close ones are exciting.

 

Welcome back, Grimers, lovely to see you again

[Grimers]

10 hours ago, Lauren said:

Welcome back, Grimers, lovely to see you again

Why, thank you! Thought I'd give it another shot! Changed my ways!

[Spikecollie]

8 hours ago, Grimers said:

Why, thank you! Thought I'd give it another shot! Changed my ways!

Hi there William. I last posted to wish you "Happy Birthday" but you didn't get back in those "troubled times".

How are you?

Nice to see you back...

[Grimers]

58 minutes ago, Spikecollie said:

Hi there William. I last posted to wish you "Happy Birthday" but you didn't get back in those "troubled times".

How are you?

Nice to see you back...

Hi Spikecollie, thanks for the message, I did see it but at the current time I was in a bit of a "mess", everything's better now so don't worry.

I'm doing well thanks, I hope you are well too.

[bobbydog]

On Friday, October 07, 2016 at 09:33, Grimers said:

Why, thank you! Thought I'd give it another shot! Changed my ways!

i missed that, i wondered why you had a new profile, were you a naughty boy william?

[Grimers]

1 minute ago, bobbydog said:

i missed that, i wondered why you had a new profile, were you a naughty boy william?

Just a new start that's all.

[ThundersnowDays]

I find them exciting but not relaxing anymore after the plume storms of 2014 badly damaged a house near me and caused the loudest bang I've heard in my life with sparks going through the upstairs light.

[East_England_Stormchaser91]

Depends on the type of storm I suppose. If it's a supercell or a strong MCS, it is far from relaxing, and instead gets you charged with adrenaline as it can be dramatic, I.e storm force winds, large hail etc. However, if it is an embedded storm or one with very infrequent activity and mainly steady rain, then yes, it's very relaxing!