Five reasons you should take up birding for your wellbeing

Birdwatching is one of the fastest-growing hobbies around . There are many surprising benefits that come from birding, including a recent study revealing that nine out of ten people had improved well being after hearing birdsong. As households hunt for family friendly activities amidst the cost-of-living crisis, Birda – a birding app and social media platform – reminds us that time spent in nature, sunlight and fresh air should not be taken for granted, now unveiling the therapeutic benefits of birding.

Sunlight can play a massive role on your mental health:
Increased exposure to natural sunlight decreases incidences of seasonal affective disorder. This is partly due to the skin’s response to sunlight and vitamin D which can lead to a heightened mood. Scientists have extensively noted that outdoor activities like birding decreases mental illness, depression, and anxiety, and can increase our positive emotions – even our self esteem.

Not only that, the sounds of birdsong can also play a role in stress recovery and attention restoration – which is why students might listen to birdsong during a stressful study period, for example.

Getting away from our screens and immersing ourselves in the present:
The constant pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, the shorter days, and the extraordinary amount of time spent lethargically glued to our screens has led many to make an effort to change their habits. Work and academic burnout can also become increasingly prominent, with many people running out of steam and feeling more stressed and anxious from prolonged screen time. With the average screen time in the US being around seven hours a day, according to DataReportal, it’s important to get outside and give yourself a break every so often.

When we’re looking around outside and birding, we are inevitably talking – discussions of our surroundings bring us closer together with those we share the experience with. It not only forces us to be better at communication, but also to take note of and appreciate our surroundings, and be more present in our lives – nature offers a chance to explore ourselves mentally while considering the environment physically.

Connecting with our friends and family: 
Fuelled by the pandemic and multiple lockdowns, many realized that when it comes to birding, much of its enjoyment comes from sharing the experience with your loved ones. A study from TalkClub even reveals that men in particular communicate best when doing activities – this could even be a great activity to do if you’re looking for your significant other to open up. Birding is a fantastic way to connect with our friends and families in a more active way than purely sitting down to have a meal.

For children, birding can also act as a tool to teach them all about the world they live in, open up their minds, and get them outside to discover new birds.

Simply watching birds can calm our minds:
A study by Bioscience found that birding improves mental and physical health – with a reduction in anxiety, depression and stress. However, the main take-away from this report was that people don’t need to interact with the birds – people can actually significantly improve their mental health by just watching birds. A recent study found that nine in ten people had improved wellbeing after hearing birdsong. By distracting our brains from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and simply observing natural wildlife behaviour, this lets our mind reset for a moment and take some time to unwind before returning back to reality.

Physical benefits of birding: 
Birdwatching isn’t always easy – trying to find that illusive Kingfisher or hiding in wait for the lapwings to land can be hard work. The CDC suggests we should do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week – getting out and about while birding is a great way to do this. Getting our heart rate up helps our body move oxygen around our bodies more efficiently, burn calories, and lowers cholesterol – and you can do so all while exploring new places, discovering new wildlife and enjoying new experiences.

Natalie White, co-Founder of Birda, comments:
“The healing power of nature was paramount in getting me through my struggles with cancer. It’s motivated me to do more to protect our natural world, inspire others to do the same, and leave a legacy for my daughters.”

Sarah Cunningham, Communications Engagement Officer at Birda, comments:
“For me, birdwatching is an escape. Birdwatching was always my solace, it makes me feel safe. More than that, being outside and hearing birdsong for me is healing. I know I’m in a better mood when I’ve been outside to do some birding. It’s a huge social activity, I’m never afraid to chat to someone and ask them what they’ve seen”

About Birda:
Birda – an innovative birding app for curious people who want to deepen their connection with the outdoors – aims to create an inclusive community to experience, enjoy, and protect the nature and wildlife wherever you are. Whether you live in the countryside or in the city, Birda allows users to explore and appreciate the nature that surrounds them through a free, easy-to-use tool for logging the birdlife around you – all you have to do is head out and look up.