BIRDING FOR WELL-BEING

WORLD OF MEDICINE

- By Beth Weinhouse

Spending time in nature is good for relieving stress and improving mental outlook. Now a new study at North Carolina State University has found that one activity in particular has a powerful effect. Researchers divided student participants into three groups: a control group, a group assigned to walk in nature and a group assigned bird-watching sessions. The results showed that the bird-watching group reported the greatest improvement in well-being. Apparently people in England already knew this: Poll results reported in 2023 found that 91 per cent of Brits found seeing birds and hearing birdsong had a positive impact on their mindset.

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