Stressed Out? Go Listen to the Birds

Stressed Out? Take a Minute to Listen to the Birds

Maybe you have a desk near a window with a tree outside. In the afternoon—or really, whenever you get perplexed, frustrated, or just need a minute—do you ever find yourself looking out the window?

Leaves moving. Sunshine. A bird hopping from branch to branch.

And for a minute, you feel a little better.

Sort of like getting a drink of water for your brain.

Researchers have been studying why nature seems to have that effect. We already know that when the brain settles, the body tends to calm down too. Anxiety responses decrease. Attention gets a break.

Nature seems to help that happen.

When your brain doesn’t have to work quite so hard for a few minutes, it gets a chance to reset. And after that little break, it may be better able to focus, solve problems, and think creatively.

There may be other benefits too. Time in nature has been associated with less stress, anger, anxiety, depression, and burnout. It may even help with patience and empathy.

Not bad for looking at a tree.

And you don’t necessarily need hiking boots and a free afternoon to get some of the benefit.

Try:

Untangling a knotty problem while taking a walk.
Opening the window and listening to the birds for a few minutes.
Holding an outdoor meeting when you need some fresh thinking.
Having a difficult conversation on a patio or somewhere with a view.
Putting nature photographs on your screensaver.
Playing birdsong instead of music once in a while.

The point isn’t to turn nature into one more thing you’re supposed to be doing correctly.

Sometimes you just need to give your brain somewhere else to go for a minute. And some of the things I’ve listed can just slide right into your packed day.

The next time you find yourself staring out the window instead of working, maybe don’t feel guilty about it.