9/9/2023 0 Comments Beach and birds sounds![]() ![]() The longer you do it, the more mentally fatigued you become. The second theory considers how our brain processes information and focuses on certain tasks.įor example, think about ignoring colleagues having a conversation while you work in a shared office. Hearing birdsong signals life is already present in an area, and depending on the type of sounds made, implies safety. The first looks at evolution and proposes that humans have a genetically built-in preference for nature, having spent thousands of years roaming the wilderness before constructing towns and cities.Įnvironments that contain resources such as water, plants, and animals are places where we feel best as they indicate that we can thrive. There are a couple of theories as to why nature has a healing effect on us. Why does some birdsong have a restorative effect? This means that if birdsong were to be used to help with mental health therapy, it would need to be tailored to individuals. While bird sounds can be helpful for mental health, it depends on the bird, the sound it is making and the type of person who is listening to it. Those who appreciated nature benefited the most whereas those who preferred to remain indoors or were noise sensitive felt an indifference or had a negative response. The type of person listening to the bird sound also influences the outcome. 'If bird sounds are loud, non-melodic, rough, simple or boring, people find them unpleasant or stressful.' Other factors that affect how restorative birdsong is included sound level, frequency, complexity, pattern and familiarity.Įleanor says, 'People like listening to bird sounds which are quiet, high frequency or have a level of complexity such as a melody. However, the call of a magpie generated stress as it was loud and raucous which reminded some participants of intentional aggression. Levels of mental restoration also depend on the type of sound made by a bird.įor example, the melody of a songbird was well-received as it sounded musical and pleasant. ![]() One participant associated owls with superstition, fear and death, however in many cultures' owls are revered, symbolising wisdom, intelligence, and endurance. For example, pigeons in cities can be perceived as an annoyance and hearing their sounds could provoke a sense of irritation.Ĭultural perception also played an important role. ![]() However, some bird sounds can also have the opposite effect. It reminded her of when she would dig in the garden and her chickens would gather around, waiting for her to throw slugs at them.Īnother participant associated the sound of wood pigeons with long, hot summers during her childhood which prompted feelings of enjoyment. This depended on the type of bird and what respondents associated it with.įor example, one participant found the gentle sound of chickens comforting following stress. The research found some bird sounds offered relief from mental fatigue and stress. The first of her three studies consisted of an online test with 174 British residents listening, rating, and commenting on 50 different bird sounds from the UK and Australia. He was speculating on how bird sounds might help people through the darkest days of winter.' ![]() While it is pleasant to listen to, could something bigger be going on inside our brains when we hear tweeting and singing from parks and gardens?ĭr Eleanor Ratcliffe, a lecturer in environmental psychology at the University of Surrey, looked at how bird sounds may restore attention and alleviate stress.Įleanor says, 'I was inspired to do this research because of an opinion piece in the Guardian by Pete Brash. Birdsong appeared to be louder during the UK's lockdown due to a decline in man-made noise. ![]()
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