Intuitively, we seek well-being in nature. Some gardening, others walking in the forest and others bird watching. Afterwards we feel more relaxed and happier. The first German-language book has now been published, to which we have made a significant contribution, to this positive effect, which has now been scientifically proven many times over. Spending time in nature helps us break away from the hectic pace of everyday life and find peace. Nature works best when we experience it consciously, engage with the natural life around us and ignore everything else. Bird watching, for example, helps: “We feel good when we are in contact with nature and its creatures. “It is innate in us to seek this contact with nature,” says the American behavioral biologist and founder of sociobiology E. O. Wilson, describing the effect. Bird watching – a piece of nature in the city and in the country Birds are a colorful, very lively part of nature. They live in the country as well as in the city and in the mountains, on rivers and lakes. Anyone can observe them at home from the window in the garden or on the balcony, as well as while taking a walk in the nature reserve. Birds allow us to experience nature intensively. Their diversity and their appearance in large flocks in particular attract our attention. We can relax and follow their movements with our eyes and let our thoughts wander.
Listening to the songs of birds is easy.
The morning song of the songbirds in spring is particularly pleasantly melodic to our ears. Just like our favorite song, bird sounds can bring back memories. We are transported back to relaxing natural landscapes and reflect on positive experiences in nature. Some blackbird songs, for example, make us think of a warm summer evening. In this way, bird songs distract us from everyday life and give us moments of relaxation and happiness. When bird watching we focus entirely on the here and now, escaping negative thinking or actions. Our worries and fears are forgotten during this time. This has a positive, scientifically proven effect on physical and mental health and on our general well-being. Some doctors therefore recognize and prescribe the “nature pill” as a support for healing, especially mental illnesses. In Canada, nature is available on prescription and in Japan, Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing, has long been a recognized healing method.
This is what science says about ornitherapy
As early as 1979, the medical director R.A.F. Cox in England that “for depressed or physically housebound people, the simple pleasure of watching birds can be an invaluable comfort. Furthermore, the deeper study of the identification of bird species and precise observations of their behavior brings a new dimension to the lives of the most discouraged. As a sedative, Bird watching can be as effective as any drug, but cheaper and safer than many.” This is what he called ornitherapy.
Bird songs reduce anxiety
Evidence that bird watching has a positive effect on human well-being and health has increased in recent years. People who live in areas with more birds, bushes and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and stress (Cox et al. 2017). Across Europe, people are more satisfied and happier the more birds sing in their environment and the more species they hear (Methorst et al. 2021). Bird song reduces fears and irrational thoughts. Compared to traffic noise, to which many people are exposed every day, bird song has a positive effect (Stobbe et al. 2022). And from the scientific support of the LBV seniors’ project “All the birds are already here” in fully inpatient care facilities, we know that bird watching particularly promotes the cognitive resources, mobility and social well-being of seniors
Why should people read the book?
We constantly hear that nature is doing poorly, species are dying out, habitats are disappearing, and that we humans are the reason for this. We can only change this by behaving differently. But statistics and rational arguments can only persuade people to a positive change in their behavior towards nature to a limited extent. We have to experience how a blackbird raises its young, how a whinchat rests in the meadow before it flies further north to breed, and how a robin courtes its partner. This is how you build an intensive relationship with the bird world and the nature around us and then you no longer want to be without it. We hope that through the book readers will learn to love birds, feel connected to them through observations and work to protect them. We hope that an intense relationship with nature will lead to more sustainable behavior towards nature. And people should pass on this love of birds and the natural environment to others.
And how can anyone and everyone start immediately with this type of bird watching?
The best place to start is with a leisurely walk. This can be anywhere, even along a city street. If possible, you shouldn’t have any expectations, but rather just let yourself be surprised by what you see, hear and find. You watch and listen to see if you spot any birds nearby. How many different birds are there?You don’t have to be able to identify them to notice differences, but you do notice their diversity. Just listen, associate and enjoy. It’s best to write down after the walk how you feel, what you’ve lived and what you’ve discovered. If you repeat the walk the next day, you can compare and notice what new things you observe.
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