Numerous studies have shown that birds can help improve our overall health. Science also confirms that birding is a great way to overcome despair.
Birding is a popular activity in the midst of the pandemic. It can be done near your home and you can keep safe distance from others. The use of Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird was increased and so was participation in the Global Big Day. The sale of birdhouses and bird seeds as well as other supplies for birding increased too.
Research has shown that joy and happiness brought by birds are more than a purely personal experience. These studies suggested that birds can improve our overall health. The German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research conducted a 2019-study and found that bird diversity was associated with increased satisfaction for more than 26.000 people in 26 countries. People who live in areas with many bird species are happier.
Our mood can be affected by the sounds of birds. A recent study found that hikers who listen to bird songs while they are walking on trails were happier and more satisfied. Birdsong can help us to be faithful to the ecology’s health, and the natural order in the world.
Birds make us smile. Birds help us to pay more attention to the small details and live in the moment. They remind us that we are part in something bigger than our own world. Bird watching brings joy and happiness.