2023-05-25 23:18:05
In spring, the sounds of nature are not lacking: the chirping of birds, the sound of the wind and flowing water. A study has just shown that these sounds reduce pain and reduce stress.
American researchers studied sound recordings from 251 sites in 66 national parks in the United States. They observed that the noises heard in nature helped to reduce stress but also to improve mood.
Raw of nature – Relaxing sounds
Perhaps you have already noticed it, listening for a few moments to the sound of running water, the birds singing, or the sounds of the forest soothing us. These new observations by scientists show that the natural sounds heard in US national parks are beneficial to health. The experts published the results of this study in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences(1).
These parks have managed to preserve the relaxing music offered by the surrounding nature. However, they must be protected from excessively intrusive noises. The researchers found that flowing water enhanced positive emotions and that birdsong reduced feelings of stress and nervousness. To enhance positive emotions, however, the sound of water is the most effective.
The sound of water for positive emotions © daniilphotos
Read also: Listen to the sounds of forests around the world without leaving your home
The sounds of nature preserved in the parks
In these national parks, it was possible to listen to the sound of water in 22.8% of the time and to listen to the song of birds in 42.1% of the time. Although there were more visitors in some areas of the park, natural sounds might be heard at the same level as in less touristy areas.
However, the researchers noted more man-made sounds compared to places with fewer visitors.
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« Park sites near urban areas with higher levels of visitation are important targets for soundscape conservation to support visitor health. said Kurt Fristrup, co-author of the study and bioacoustics scientist at National Park Service in remarks reported by the Daily Mail(2).
© Milk-Tea
Stay connected with nature
Whether you live in the city or in the countryside, maintaining a connection with nature is beneficial for your health. Moreover, since the Covid-19 pandemic, many French people try to reconnect more with nature by taking regular walks in the forest or near the coast, for example.
Read also: Should the noises of our countryside be included in the national heritage?
« In many ways, the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of nature to human health said study author Rachel Buxton at Carleton University, Canada. The silence induced by the shutdown of factories and the slowing of traffic has also made it possible to find the sounds of nature in the city. Many people enjoyed rediscovering for a while the soothing sounds of nature even in the heart of Paris.
Banner illustration: Birdsong reduces stress and calms nerves- © Nick Sokolov
Article republished
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