Home / Science / Birdsong Melodies Lower Stress, Study Finds
Birdsong Melodies Lower Stress, Study Finds
4 Feb
Summary
- Birdsong can measurably reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
- Participants experienced lower blood pressure and cortisol levels.
- Paying attention to birdsong yielded greater stress reduction.
New scientific research indicates that engaging with birdsong can significantly reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing. A study conducted in Germany involved volunteers walking through a park equipped with loudspeakers playing bird melodies.
Researchers measured participants' physiological stress markers, including blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels. While all participants experienced some stress reduction simply from walking, those who were instructed to pay attention to the birdsong showed the most pronounced benefits.
This focused engagement with avian sounds proved more effective in lowering stress than passive exposure to natural birdsong or even an environment with rare bird songs. The study highlights the accessible and potent stress-relieving qualities of nature's soundscapes.
