[00:00:00] Getting out into nature enhances our mental health. Prior research indicates bird watching is a highly popular sport. British psychologists wanted to use smartphones in real time to determine whether seeing or hearing birds immediately impacted people's mental well being and for how long. Researchers surveyed 1300 volunteers, half from the UK, the other half from Europe, US, India, Australia and China. 70% female, ages 16 to 80 mean 34 years and university educated. Majority employed are students. They asked them to carry smartphones so they could answer in real time where they were inside or outdoors. When signaled, participants answered brief questions about their activity, whether they heard or saw birds, trees, plants, water and their current mental well being.
[00:00:46] An analysis of nearly 27,000 responses from April 2018 to October 2021 show that encounters with birds led to higher ratings of mental well being, even for those who self reported having a diagnosis of depression. Participants well being was significantly better when seeing and hearing birds than if just seeing trees, plants and water or hearing it. Their positivity lasted into the next day. Enhance your positivity and mood. Get outside. Find the birds. What are they doing.
