In a controlled study at North Carolina State University, participants experienced notable reductions in stress levels and improvements in positive emotions when sitting in a restored urban forest while hearing birdsong, compared to being in a paved plaza with traffic noise.
- Forest plus birdsong lowers stress more than urban noise
- Visual green space plays key role in mental restoration
- Designing city parks with birds in mind benefits public health
What happened
Researchers at North Carolina State University asked 106 students to sit outdoors at two campus locations: a restored riparian forest and a paved plaza near traffic intersections. Subjects wore noise-canceling headphones and listened to 10 minutes of bird vocalizations and 10 minutes of traffic noise in random order. After each session, they rated their stress, mood, and mental restoration.
The experiment found the lowest stress scores and highest positive mood ratings when participants were in the forest listening to birdsong. On the 11-point stress scale, this combination scored 3.2 on average, compared to 6.4 for the plaza with traffic noise. The forest location had a greater influence on feelings of mental restoration than the sound alone, while both factors affected stress and emotions significantly.
Why it feels good
Natural sounds like birdsong are linked to well-being by reducing negative emotions and increasing positive ones. Combined with the calming visual presence of green spaces, these sensory experiences help people feel mentally refreshed and less stressed. The restored forest in this study, though young and urban, already supports abundant canopy cover and bird life, demonstrating how city nature can provide restorative benefits.
Experts highlight that the type of bird sounds matters: melodic and complex songs tend to soothe more effectively than harsh calls. Additionally, personal associations with the sounds influence how beneficial they feel. The study bolsters mounting evidence that well-designed urban green spaces integrating natural sounds can positively influence mental health.
What to enjoy or watch next
As cities explore ways to improve public health through nature integration, this research encourages urban planners and parks designers to prioritize creating habitats that support birds and incorporate quiet green spaces. Simple additions like seating in areas rich with bird activity can enhance the everyday experience for visitors.
Further studies are anticipated to explore how long these stress-reducing effects last, how different populations respond, and how specific bird species contribute to mental health benefits. Meanwhile, individuals are encouraged to seek out local parks or forested areas and spend time listening to natural sounds as a peaceful break from urban noise.