Bird Watching is Good for your Beings #BirdGuides

Bird watching is Good for your being to say. People living in neighbourhoods with more birds, shrubs and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and stress. The study, involving hundreds of people and published in the journal BioScience, found mental health benefits from being able to see birds, shrubs and trees around the home, whether people lived in urban or leafier suburban neighbourhoods.

The study, which surveyed mental health in over 270 people from different ages, incomes and ethnicities, also found that those who spent less time outdoors than usual in the previous week were more likely to report they were anxious or depressed.

Researchers conducted extensive surveys of bird numbers throughout the morning and afternoon in Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Luton. Furthermore, the study revealed that seeing more birds in the afternoon directly lowered participants’ levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. The academics studied afternoon bird numbers — which tend to be lower than birds generally seen in the morning — because they are more in keeping with the number of birds that people are likely to see in their neighbourhood daily.

Researchers observed common species such as Blackbirds, Robins, Blue Tits, and various corvids during the study. The total number of individual birds affects mental health more significantly than species variety. Furthermore, previous studies found that most people have a low ability to identify different species. Consequently, this suggests that interacting with birds in general promotes well-being, regardless of the species.

Reasons why Bird Watching is Good for Your Being

Mental health benefits

1. Reduces stress and anxiety: Research consistently confirms that bird abundance and diversity are directly linked to a lower prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress.
2. Improves mood: Simply seeing and hearing birds can boost your mood, with research showing this applies to both those with and without depression.
3. Increases focus and attention: Identifying birds requires and builds cognitive skills, such as sustained attention and memory.
4. Promotes a state of “flow”: The intense concentration required for bird watching can lead to a state of “flow” or “being in the zone,” which is beneficial for overall mental well-being.
5. Creates social connection: Joining birding groups can lead to friendships and a sense of community, as many birders are happy to share their knowledge.

Physical health benefits

• Encourages physical activity: Bird watching often involves walking and other outdoor movement, which can improve physical health.

Other benefits

• Connects you to nature: It helps you appreciate the natural world and feel more grounded.
• Boosts environmental awareness: Observing birds and their habitats can lead to a greater desire to protect them and inform conservation efforts.
• Provides perspective: Watching the natural dramas of bird life, such as nesting or fledging, can offer perspective on your own life challenges.