Research from North Carolina State University reveals that sitting in a restored forest while listening to birdsong reduces stress and enhances mood far beyond urban settings with traffic noise. Both the natural setting and the calming sounds independently improve well-being, but together they create the greatest benefits.
- Stress dropped significantly when hearing birdsong in a forest vs urban noise
- Positive mood and mental restoration peaked in natural settings with birdsong
- Restored urban forests can offer strong mental health benefits
What happened
A study involving 106 students at North Carolina State University compared their stress and mood while listening to birdsong or traffic noise in two locations: a restored riparian forest and an urban paved plaza. Using noise-canceling headphones, each participant experienced both sound types in each setting and then rated their mental state.
Results showed that the combination of a green forest environment with birdsong produced the lowest stress scores and highest positive emotions among all conditions. The mismatched scenarios and urban setting with traffic noise resulted in higher stress and lower emotional restoration, indicating both place and sound independently contribute to well-being.
Why it feels good
Natural settings provide visual and sensory cues that help the brain relax and recover from cognitive fatigue. The presence of birdsong adds an auditory component that further supports calming effects and boosts positive feelings. Even a relatively young, restored forest on a college campus—rather than an untouched wilderness—was effective, showing that mental health benefits can be built into urban greenspaces.
Experts emphasize that the combination of nature and gentle bird melodies creates a comforting environment that reduces negative emotions and stress. This aligns with a broader body of research highlighting how natural environments and pleasant nature sounds restore attention and promote emotional well-being.
What to enjoy or watch next
To tap into these benefits, seek out urban parks with rich birdlife or areas where bird sounds are common. Consider bringing headphones to combine visual and auditory immersion, whether by visiting a local natural area or listening to curated birdsong audio in a green space.
Designers and city planners can use these findings to prioritize creating green spaces filled with birds to improve public health. For individuals, adding short outdoor breaks surrounded by nature and birdsong might be a simple, accessible way to lower stress and enhance daily mental wellness.