Missy Couldn't Stand The Rain

And we have no idea why. Rain sounds are some of the most soothing sounds out there. It's actually like a hug. Or in more scientific terms, "rain is predictable, calming, stable, and non-threatening," according Dr. Shelby Harris, a sleep medicine specialist.

Missy was our friend's cat who would hide under the bed every time it rained. While most of us find rain sounds incredibly relaxing, Missy apparently did not share this sentiment. It got us thinking about how differently we all respond to sounds and what makes certain sounds comforting to some and distressing to others.

From a scientific perspective, rain sounds work so well for relaxation because they create what's called a "sound masking" effect. The consistent pattern of raindrops helps block out other environmental noises that might keep us awake or distracted. The randomness of individual raindrops combined with the overall predictable pattern creates an ideal acoustic environment for our brains to relax.

There's also something primal about our response to rain. For thousands of years, the sound of rain meant safety – a time to stay sheltered, to rest, to be still. This evolutionary memory might explain why so many people feel an immediate sense of calm when they hear rainfall.

We've recorded rain sounds from all over the world – gentle spring showers, heavy thunderstorms, rain on different surfaces like leaves, rooftops, and windows. Each recording captures a different mood and energy, but they all share that fundamental quality of bringing peace and tranquility.

As for Missy, she eventually learned to tolerate the rain, though she never quite developed the same appreciation for it that we have. But that's okay – we all have our own unique relationships with sound, and what soothes one soul might not work for another.