The Soundscape of Nature and Stress Reduction

“The poetry of the earth is never dead.”
- John Keats

Sound affects us more than we realize.

Urban noise (traffic, sirens, machinery) keeps the nervous system slightly elevated. Even when we think we’ve tuned it out, the body registers it.

A 2017 study in Scientific Reports found that listening to natural sounds (such as birdsong and flowing water) decreased the body’s sympathetic nervous system response and increased parasympathetic activity.

In other words ... natural sound promoted relaxation.

Another study found that hospital patients exposed to natural soundscapes reported lower perceived pain and anxiety.

Sound bypasses cognition. It speaks directly to physiology.

Birdsong signals safety in the natural world.

When birds are vocalizing, predators are not nearby. The brain may still carry this ancient association. When we remove harsh sound input and replace it with organic sound patterns, the nervous system recalibrates. Sometimes stress is not only about thoughts.

It is about noise.

Journal Prompts

If you are so inclined ... writing about your emotions and needs has been proven to be beneficial in helping to gain peace and alleviate stress. There’s no right way to answer.

What sounds fill my daily environment?

How does my body respond to birdsong, wind, or rain compared to traffic or television?

Videos & Books

If quiet moments might help you reset, or if you are unable to get to a natural setting, here are some YouTube channels focused on nature, including my own, The Nature Break. Also included are some books on the benefits and beauty of nature.

YouTube Nature Channels:

• Walks of Wonder: Lovely nature walks…nature sounds. Long-duration footage.

• The Nature Break: Nature walks set to quiet music, short duration 2- 4 minutes

Books:

• A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

• The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller

Featured Video: Please enjoy this video from the Nature Break…

Comments

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