An abundance of birds surrounds my home in rural Wisconsin — bluebirds, sandhill cranes, cardinals, woodpeckers, robins, finches, and many more. They fill the air with their calls, chips, squawks, and melodies, creating a relaxing environment. I’ve found that listening to bird songs is a good antidote for lifting my mood — and researchers would agree, for studies show it helps improve mental health.
Hearing bird songs helps reduce depression and anxiety
Psychology Today detailed studies that demonstrated the positive effects of bird songs on mental health. In a 2022 study published in Scientific Reports, Emil Stobbe and colleagues researched the impact of bird songs on a group of 295 randomized participants. They discovered that hearing these melodies helped alleviate anxiety and paranoia. Conversely, when exposed to traffic noise, depression increased for the participants.
For another study in 2022, also published in Scientific Reports, Ryan Hammoud and other psychologists detailed how encounters with birdlife had a positive impact on a group of over 3,000 participants. “Everyday encounters with birdlife were associated with time-lasting improvements in mental well-being. These improvements were evident not only in healthy people but also in those with a diagnosis of depression, the most common mental illness across the world.”
Businesses utilize avian sounds for positive effects
As these studies show, listening to bird songs is a good remedy for everyday stress and reducing suffering from mental health issues. Also, listening to these melodies is beneficial even when heard indoors or through headphones. And businesses utilize bird songs for positive effects.
For example, when BP gas stations in Europe played bird songs in their toilets, customer satisfaction increased by 50%. Also, a bank in Colombia uses an ambiance of bird soundscapes, which resulted in approval ratings rising from 64% to 90%. Additionally, the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport features a quiet lounge with bird songs piped in through real trees — for a relaxing effect. Plus, you can find an endless array of calming YouTube videos with bird songs.
Why are bird songs so relaxing?
There are multiple reasons why bird songs are so relaxing, as detailed by Psychology Spot and Gulo in Nature. For one, there are genetic and ancestral elements. It helps us connect to nature — our origins. The minds of human beings have a genetic preference for sounds that remind us of nature.
Over thousands of years, humans have learned that they are in a safe environment when birds sing. Conversely, when the chirping and melodies stop, that sometimes means that a predator is near. Also, the presence of birds often corresponded to a location with abundant resources.
Additionally, hearing bird songs helps bring us to the present moment — and away from thoughts that cause suffering. This results in calmness, peacefulness, and mental clarity. Plus, the sounds provide stimulation of the brain — without being too distracting.
Another reason for the improvement in mental health is that some people associate bird songs with the arrival of spring and good weather. Following a harsh winter, this creates a positive feeling and a sense of renewal.
So, the next time you’re feeling depressed and anxious, just head outside and listen to the beautiful melodies of birds. Hearing bird songs could help you beat the blues and get you out of the doldrums.
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Header image: Trac Vu via Unsplash
I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
I’m here to share the wonders of the animal kingdom with you. Whether it’s a cherished pet at home or an animal out in the wild, there are many unique stories and interesting information to share on Weird Animal News! Enjoy!
