There’s something about hearing birds chirping that is so peaceful and calming, and it turns out that this effect can be good for mental health. A recent study has shown that there is a correlation between hearing birds singing and improved mental well-being.
Researchers found that participants who heard bird songs reported feeling happier, more relaxed, and less anxious than those who did not. So, if you’re looking for a quick mood boost, go outside and listen to the birds!
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The study from King’s College London used the smartphone application Urban Mind to collect data about people’s mental well-being alongside reports of seeing or hearing birdsong.
Lead author Ryan Hammoud explained, “There is growing evidence on the mental health benefits of being around nature, and we intuitively think that the presence of birdsong and birds would help lift our mood. However, there is little research that has actually investigated the impact of birds on mental health in real-time and in a real environment. By using the Urban Mind app, we have, for the first time, shown the direct link between seeing or hearing birds and positive mood. We hope this evidence can demonstrate the importance of protecting and providing environments to encourage birds, not only for biodiversity but for our mental health.”
The study included 1,292 participants completing 26,856 assessments using the Urban Mind app between April 2018 and October 2021. Each participant was asked three times a day whether they could hear or see birds, followed by mental well-being.
Researchers also collected information on existing diagnoses of mental health conditions and found that seeing or hearing birdlife was associated with improvements in mental well-being. This association was found in both health and people with depression. Researchers showed the associations between birds and mental well-being were not explained by co-occurring environmental factors such as the presence of trees, plants, or waterways.
This study helps to provide an evidence base for creating and supporting biodiverse spaces that have birdlife since this is strongly linked to mental health. The findings also support the implementation of measures to increase opportunities for people with mental health conditions such as depression to have access to areas with birdlife.
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Over the past few years, mental health has become a topic of discussion and many studies. This new research offers a unique way for those with depression to check in on their mental health. Going outside and hearing birds may seem simple, but this new research can help those suffering from symptoms.
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Sarah began her interest in nutritional healing at an early age. After going through health problems and becoming frustrated with the conventional ways doctors wanted to treat her illness (which were not working), she took it upon herself to find alternative treatments. This led her to revolutionize her own diet to help her get healthier and tackle her health problems. She began treating her illness by living a more balanced lifestyle through healthy food choices, exercise and other alternative medicine such as meditation. This total positive lifestyle change led her to earn a diploma in Nutritional Therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London, England. Today, Sarah enjoys helping others by teaching healthy lifestyle changes through her personal consultations and with her regular contributions to the Doctors Health Press. Also, passionate about following her dreams in life, Sarah moved to France and lived in Paris for over 5 years where she earned a certification in beadwork and embroidery from Lesage (an atelier owned by Chanel). She then went on to be a familiar face sitting front row and reporting from Paris Fashion Week. Sarah continues to practice some of the cultural ways of life she learned while in Europe. They enjoy their food, and take the time to relax and enjoy many of life’s little moments. These are life lessons she is glad to have brought back home with her.
