Bird song usually causes an almost immediate feeling of tranquility. For many people, this type of sound is seen as a break from the hectic pace of cities, where various noises impact the functioning of the nervous system.
Experts consulted by Metropolises explain that the brain recognizes natural sounds as safe stimuli. Thus, the body reduces its alertness, breathing becomes lighter and physical tension decreases. This set of answers helps explain why bird song is so associated with calm and well-being.
“The brain processes bird song in several regions at the same time, involving areas related to hearing, memory and emotion. This set of circuits helps transform the stimulus into a feeling of security, which promotes deeper relaxation,” explains psychiatrist Jessica Martani, from São Paulo.
How does the brain interpret bird song?
When listening to birdsong, the brain goes through a process of selecting and organizing sounds. The first information arrives in the auditory areas, which identify patterns, intensity and rhythm.
Then, other regions responsible for memory and emotional evaluation determine whether this stimulus represents tranquility or a need for attention. In the case of birds, the interpretation is generally neutral or positive, because the sound is associated with stable environments.
Because they are soft and regular, the stimuli create a sound base that does not require concentration. This allows thoughts to be less scattered and prevents the brain from being pulled by competing stimuli.
Top Benefits of Birdsong for Mental Health
Bird song aids emotional regulation, promotes a sense of clarity, and can reduce excessive thinking, one of the things that fuels anxious states.
During the night, as they are constant and soft sounds, bird song also creates an auditory reference that reduces external interference and promotes the transition to the early stages of sleep, which is particularly useful for those who are used to taking a long time to fall asleep.
“Nature sounds act as a deceleration stimulus. They reduce physiological hyperactivation, reduce intrusive thoughts and help the brain recover cognitive resources that are depleted throughout the day,” explains psychologist Anastacia Barbosa, from Rio de Janeiro.
Main benefits of birdsong
- Reduction of physical signs of tension: reduces muscle stiffness, improves breathing and slows reactions associated with alertness.
- Less mental rumination: helps stop repetitive thought cycles, common during times of anxiety.
- Reduction in internal agitation: contributes to a general feeling of emotional stability.
- Ease of falling asleep: creates a stable auditory environment, which reduces competition between stimuli and promotes the appearance of light sleep phases.
- Smoother transition to relaxed states: helps the brain regulate the rhythm of brain waves, making falling asleep more natural.
Who feels the effects most intensely?
Certain profiles tend to perceive the impact more easily, such as people who live in noisy environments, individuals with high sensory sensitivity, anxious individuals with physiological hyperactivation, and those who grew up close to nature – a group that tends to recognize birdsong as a sound “signature” of safety.
Furthermore, more organized environments, with little visual and auditory pollution, also promote balanced brain functioning and reinforce therapeutic practices aimed at emotional regulation.
Follow the Health and Science editor on Instagram and stay up to date with everything on the subject!
About The Author
