SCIENTISTS KNOW that nature is a balm for the soul. Studies have shown that getting outdoors keeps your body active in many ways. Spending time in the forest lowers your stress, heart rate, and blood pressure. Gazing at wildflowers in peak bloom can bring forth awe, a distinct sense of wonder that makes you—and the problems inside your head—feel like a small piece of something vast.
But why does birdsong feel special? As social creatures, we are bound to want to connect to things. The parts of our brain that we use to form relationships with people help us build bonds with nature also.
Here’s why paying attention to the birds’ playful chirps, buzzy whistles, and whimsical calls really is as restorative as it feels:
For a study, researchers asked 1,300 people to log information about their environment and how they were feeling three times a day for two weeks. When they reported seeing or hearing birds, they had a significantly better sense of mental well-being, even after the researchers accounted for the benefits of being near green and blue spaces. The mental health boost from bird encounters lingered for hours too.
The researchers noted that the participants were aware of the study’s primary goals, which may have made them more conscious of and biased toward their own feelings. Plus, the study took place during the height of the COVID pandemic, likely affecting the participants’ baseline stress levels and emotional response to birds.
Another study also highlighted the contrast between listening to the sounds of nature versus urban environments. Among 295 participants, those who listened to six minutes of birdsong through headphones reported feeling less depressed and anxious.
And the more vibrant the birdsong, the better. Reduced depression was specifically linked to hearing a variety of species singing together compared to those who only listened to the songs of two species. Participants who were subjected to six minutes of traffic noise felt more depressed.
Many experts believe birdsong signals safety. Imagine feeling on edge as you walk through a suspiciously quiet forest: You realize that all the birds have stopped singing. That’s a cue that there may be a predator or other source of danger around. So it could be that birdsong, over our history, has been a reliable cue that the world is at ease and we can be relaxed.
Tuning into birds is also a form of mindfulness because it roots you in the present moment. Being in community with nature delights your senses with what scientists have dubbed “soft fascination,” meaning it captures your attention but doesn’t overload it.
While studies have found that recordings of birdsong benefit your mental health, nothing compares to experiencing the real thing. So the next time you hear a symphony of birds or spot a warbler singing from the treetop, pause and appreciate the magic. By Manny Palomar, PhD (EV Mail AUGUST 25-31, 2025 Issue)
