As a people, we are constantly going through it, we are often stressed, fatigued and mentally drained. Oftentimes when we think of mental health remedies and treatments we think of the costs of therapy and counselling sessions.
What if I told you that you don’t even need to have money or go anywhere to find therapy, you can just sit outside your porch, watch birds and be intentional about it. This is referred to as birding or bird watching.
According to the Parks Victoria publication, birdwatching has been found to improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
The above publication mentions that a 2022 study by King’s College London found that encountering or hearing birds every day improved mental well-being, even in those with depression. “Another study, published in 2017 in BioScience, found that people living in urban, built-up areas with an abundance of birds were less stressed and anxious than those living in urban areas where birdlife was poor.”
Exposure to natural stimuli, such as birds, can help shift attention and awareness, promoting mindfulness, according to Happiness. It is stated that spending time in nature also brings joy, awe, serenity, inspiration, and gratitude. “Consider topping up the mental health benefits of bird watching by combining it with a forest bathing session for a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Take a break from your screens, switch off your phones, and go birding outside.”
The above source further adds that birding offers health benefits due to the humour it often provides, which can soothe tensions, relieve pain, boost mood, and improve the immune system. Observing birds’ fascinating lives and their antics during feeding, mating, or fighting can be like watching a soap opera in a feathery format, claims Happiness.
The Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance claims that “Birding is a gateway drug. Soon, you’ll find yourself eyeing digital cameras and wanting to get good at wildlife photography. When birding gets slow in the heat of summer, you’ll find your attention caught by other flying creatures—butterflies, dragonflies, moths.”
The above source also mentions that birding is a challenging hobby filled with chance and unpredictability, which can over time develop mental fortitude and perseverance. The publication encourages that the frustrations from beginning birding days will fade, and the confidence gained from birding will transfer to other aspects of life. “Birds are good teachers—you’d be surprised at what they might prepare you for.”
