Published: Sunday, May 19, 2020
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The Conversation, Jolanta Burke
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Nature has long been recognized as a source of mental health, whether it’s through listening to birdsong or going for a stroll in the park.
Birdwatchers have often been portrayed as boring. However, it seems that the twitchers were on to something all along. In 2024, a study showed that even a half-hour of birdwatching could improve our health and happiness.
Listening to birds all day long has a positive impact on our health. Hearing birds through an open door or window indoors can have a positive impact on our mood, even if it is only for a short time.
This study shows that birdwatching can offer more than just the enjoyment of birdsong. It is also more effective in reducing stress and increasing well-being than a nature hike.
Why is birdwatching good for us?
Biophilia is a major part of this. Biophilia, the belief that people have an affinity for nature – some would argue we should view ourselves as a part of nature – so being in pristine surroundings makes us happy. But biodiversity may also play a part. According to research, biodiversity can be a natural medicine that reduces stress and promotes physical activity.
My research focuses on nature and positive psychology. I investigate which resources are essential to improving well being and how to help people move beyond “good enough” mentality to flourishing, the highest level of wellbeing. My research could then help explain why birdwatching has such a positive effect on mental health.
Twitching in happiness
Birdwatching can increase positive emotions, which are the foundations of wellbeing. Conscious experiences of emotions have a positive impact on well-being, according to research. In one study, participants were asked to either rate their happiness when they saw each species of bird or count the number of birds that they had seen. Both groups reported an increase in well-being. The group that was most joyful experienced the greatest improvement. This suggests that the participants’ awareness of their positive emotions during birdwatching may be what boosted its benefits.
Birding can be both amazing and joyful. According to research, experiencing nature’s awe can have a transformative effect on human wellbeing. Awe is a state of mind that requires “noticing”. When we notice, our attention is focused on the birds and not ourselves. To be in nature, and to notice wildlife, we must immerse ourselves, and this can help improve our mental and physical health.
Birds and bees
Birdwatching, unlike the stereotype of a “boring” birder that is so prevalent in television and film, is not an activity for passive people. It’s a mind-grabbing pursuit. My colleague and I recently conducted research into the impact bees have on beekeepers’ mental health and that of their families.
We found similarities between beekeepers, and birdwatchers. Both experienced a profound sense of calm and engagement through hours of observation. Beekeepers, like birdwatchers can lose track of their surroundings and time when they become so absorbed by the dynamics of the hive. This immersion creates a flow of emotions that is crucial to mental health.
A state of psychological flow is one in which you are completely absorbed by an activity. The state is characterized by deep concentration, seamless involvement and a sense of mastery. This mental state not only signifies enhanced performance but is also essential to well-being. This mental state is often compared with being “in the zones,” where we perform our best.
Birdwatching can create a state of flow that is good for our mental health. Twitchers are absorbed in identifying birds, understanding their behavior, and observing them. This state of flow is a natural result, driven by curiosity, increased concentration, and sustained engagement. Birdwatchers who are “in the flow”, can feel a surge of endorphins, a deep sense of satisfaction and wellbeing.
Get a buzz
Our study revealed a strong bond that exists between beekeepers (and their bees) and the bees. This is similar to “positivity resonance”–a deep, emotional, and physiological connection.
We found that this resonance significantly boosts the happiness and well-being of beekeepers. It fosters a deep sense of harmony and unity between the beekeeper and the bees. Birdwatchers could have a similar experience by observing birds.
Recent research confirms that nature-centered therapies can improve mental health. Grab your binoculars, and head out into nature to get a boost in well-being and a chance to twitch. Enjoy the journey.
This article was republished by The Conversation under the Creative Commons License. The original article can be read.
Source: Medical Xpress