Nature is a great way to connect to your feelings and emotions. The brain is constantly sampling the environment. Certain sounds convey that the outside world is threatening, even at low decibels. Sounds of nature can help us achieve more positive moods.
Take a moment to sample your current environment. Noises are not just passive elements of the room you are in right now. They are associated with layers of emotions and can either help or hurt your level of focus. Some individuals benefit from low-level sounds as they complete their work. And for some, completely quiet environments are perceived as sterile and uninviting. Silence can even lead to more anxiety in some cases. The evidence is growing that natural sounds can provide an enjoyable addition to our daily lives, either as a background ambiance for the household or office, or for an enjoyable soundscape in which we fully immerse ourselves.
Nature soundscapes can give us a break from the man-made sounds that form the backdrop of our lives. This includes sounds such as traffic, sirens or car alarms, and conversational chatter. Man-made sounds can lead us to feel more rushed, as suggested by some research.
Most individuals find nature sounds soothing as long as they are at a comfortable decibel level. A calm and refreshed mindset is induced by nature-based soundscapes because they give “the perception of being away from the ordinary.“
The brain may interpret the vocalizations of some animals as signals of danger, causing the body to release more stress-related hormones. Growling or hissing sounds are meant to deter or intimidate other organisms, and large predator sounds are can produce fear and sustained psychological distress. Through selecting soundscapes with your favorite sounds and non-threatening animals, the brain can find a more relaxing state of mind.
Listening to the sounds of birds with higher pitch sounds is not a favorite sound to listen to. Chips and tweets of birds are the exception. When we heard birds sing, we often think of springtime gardening or going on a hiking adventure. In fact, we tend to walk more slowly in response to hearing birds singing.
One reason for this may be the association of bird song with mornings. When people hear birdsongs, it does influence our mood. Research shows that participants expressed pleasure when they listened to the birds sing. “This is happiness to me,” explained one of the study participants, who associated the birds with the morning sounds of her farm.
These positive associations are common, because other listeners note similar mood benefits from hearing birds. They seem to connect birds to the enthusiasm of a new day: “When you have not been sleeping and you wake up very early and you hear the dawn chorus and you hear the birds, you can suddenly in seconds feel uplifted.”
Other research emphasizes similar themes, because individuals exposed to natural soundscapes describe “a feeling of joy provided by bird songs.”
The sound of birds singing gives us a sense of calmness and restoration. When we are out in nature and hear birds sing, we feel a sense of joy and happiness. When visually-impaired individuals were exposed to several nature soundscapes and asked about their experiences, many noted that the birds had a specific effect on their state of mind. For example, “when you hear a lot of birds, that gives you a tremendous feeling of well-being… a much more peaceful feeling.” Other studies had similar results, with relaxation as a key benefit. For instance, studies that measured physical stress responses subjected participants to a stressful event and found that nature soundscapes with bird sounds promoted relaxation and recovery better than sounds from the man-made environment!
Not all bird sounds are equally effective for mood enhancement. (Try this mental simulation: take a moment to imagine the sounds of a seagull’s squawk compared to the colorful melodies of a tiny songbird.)
Studies have quantified the most pleasant birds to hear. They show that rough, noisy and simple bird calls, including cawing crows, have negative associations for most individuals. Instead, birdsongs that have musical qualities may be best for those seeking a new way to manage stress and unwind. Nature provides many benefits. We may have different ideas about what relaxes us. New studies identify advantages of seeing signs of nature around us and listening to birds in their natural settings has a positive impact on our wellbeing.
Nature audio experiences feature a variety of birds, creating an immersive experience. One source that helps to connect listeners to the actual sounds of nature is called Voices of Flyway, a project lead by Dr. Jacob Job. As Associate Director of Bird Genoscape Project, Dr. Job’s work helps others enjoy soundscapes they may not otherwise be able to experience. By capturing the sounds of birds and their surrounding ecosystems, Dr. Job connects listeners to new places through audio and commentary of his explorations. This provides an audio experience for relaxation and curiosity, and helps to underscore the immense value of imperiled ecosystems.
Dr. Job explains the potential for these restorative soundscapes, both for the individual and the ecosystems they represent. “Listening to bird songs, and natural sounds in general, offer a plethora of health benefits including reduced stress and improved mood. It also offers us a chance to reconnect with our natural heritage in a way that can help spark mindfulness in how we treat the planet.”
Nature soundscapes can provide a wonderful outlet for those leading busy or stressful lives. If you are seeking solace or just want a new listening option, explore the sounds of your National Parks and wilderness areas all over the United States just by hitting the play button. Ready to give it a try? Check out this immersive recording from the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota from Voices of a Flyway.
As Treo’s Global Wellness Researcher, Karlie uses recent research findings to support healthier daily habits. Karlie earned her doctorate in Neuroscience and Behavior and bachelors in Health and Exercise Science.
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