How woodland sounds enhance wellbeing

Hearing nature sounds is relaxing, very relaxing.  A press release from the United Kingdom’s National Trust reports, “The crunch of snapping twigs underfoot. Lilting birdsong from above. The rustling of trees in the breeze. Woodland sounds have been shown to have a direct impact on our wellbeing, making us more relaxed, less stressed and less anxious. A new study commissioned by the National Trust explored how soaking up the sounds of the natural world affects people, and found it relaxes us more than if we listen to a voiced meditation app, and in the tests, reduced feelings of stress and anxiety by over a fifth on average, those immersed in woodland sounds such as a trickling stream, birdsong, or crunching leaves, reported a 30% increase in feeling relaxed. This is compared to no change in feeling relaxed for those listening to a voiced meditation app.” Study participants’ feelings of stress decreased by 24% and anxiety by 19%.  Nature soundscapes are readily available online.

“Woodland Sounds Boost Wellbeing, According to New Study.”  2019.  Press release, National Trust, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/press-release/woodland-sounds-boost-wel…