Pluviophilia: What It Is And How Pleasure Is Experienced In The Rain
In colloquial language, the love of rain is known as pluviophilia. It is not a specialized term, that is, it does not refer to a formal clinical category; However, it has been commonly used to describe a series of interests and hobbies related to rain.
What is pluviophilia? In this article we will see it.
In ancient Greek, the word “philos” means “love,” and the suffix “ia” means “quality.” Hence “philia” (“philia” in Spanish), means the quality of feeling love for a specific situation, object or practice. These are experiences contrary to phobias, in which an intense fear of specific situations prevails.
For its part, “pluvio” comes from “pluvial” which means “of the rain or related to it.” Having said this we can see that “pluviophilia” is the love, hobby or special attraction for rain and everything that concerns it.
It should be noted that this is not pathological behavior. In fact, although there are many types of “philias”, few have become specific diagnostic criteria (for example, paraphilias). Mostly, hobbies that are considered pathological are diagnosed with the suffix “mania” (such as kleptomania); and not with that of “philia”.
In this sense, the special and intense enjoyment of rain does not in itself represent a threat nor does it require treatment. Does this mean that pluviophilia cannot cause discomfort? Pluviophilia (like other philias) can be accompanied by diagnosable or non-diagnosable experiences of discomfort. It can even be accompanied by little flexibility, discomfort or a low mood in situations where the weather is more uncomfortable (for example, sunny weather). But in itself, pluviophilia It is not a clinical condition nor does it necessarily cause discomfort clinically significant.
While it is a special love for rain and everything related to it, pluviophilia has as a general characteristic the inclination for all circumstances that allow sensory enjoyment of rain. For example, through sight, touch or smell. It’s based on the thought that rain is a beautiful and pleasant phenomenon contrary to what is often thought.
1. Love for windows
Pluviophilia does not necessarily imply a special interest in being in the rain. It can also be pleasant to look at it from a window. For example, people who consider themselves to be raindroppers say they enjoy watching raindrops fall, or counting them and looking for which one falls first. In this sense, staying close to a window in rainy times can be an important element for those who enjoy it intensely.
2. Preference for cloudy skies
Contrary to popular belief, there are people whose mood is favorable or even improves with gray skies and cloudy weather. That is to say, hot and very sunny weather can cause them more discomfort. In the pluviolifia, the gray sky is perceived as a beautiful natural phenomenon and looking at it is enjoyable.
3. Like to get soaked
People often avoid getting wet in the rain. If we go out in rainy weather, we are prepared with an umbrella, raincoats, boots, a car, etc.
Motivated by the risk of getting sick or dirty, or by the simple fact of not wanting to get wet, we generally tend to worry when we see rain. This is not the case with pluviophilia. Far from avoiding it, The experience of being in the rain can convey a feeling of freedom and security ; even if the possibility of catching a cold is recognized. Feeling your body wet in the rain is pleasant in this case.
Hearing is another sense that can easily be stimulated by rain. In fact, even without the presence of pluviophilia, the sound of rain is generally pleasant, which is why it is often used to relax or concentrate.
There are several theories as to why the latter works. On the one hand, it may be because listening to the sound of rain in the comfort of our home transmits to us a feeling of shelter and protection. On the other hand, it may be because the intensity and variability of the sounds caused by both falling drops and thunder are in themselves comfortable. In pluviphobia these sounds may be preferred to any other and people may spend several hours listening to them.
5. Enjoy the smell that remains after raining
Finally, smell also allows you to enjoy rainy moments. Or rather, of the moments and smells that the rain leaves behind when it ends. The smell of the streets while it rains and after it rains can be very pleasant, comfortable and even refreshing. There are even some perfumes that have tried to imitate the aroma of rain in some shades.
