Scientists to study psychological benefits of birdsong

Scientists of the University of Surrey are doing a study will examine the psychological impact of birdsong, and what this help us relax, complete tasks and increase our creativity.

Eleanor Ratcliffe, researcher of the project, said that this study give us knowledge about how the sounds of the nature affects people. For this, in the early stages of the research, she sit outside watching birds like a serious birdwatcher. She tried to differentiate the song of diferent birds, and how affects the melodious song of a thrush in our memories and sense of place.

Ratcliffe will later recruit subjects and examine the effects of birdsongs and examine their brains and how could have the same impact listen the birdsong in an Ipod, for example, and listening the birdsongs in the countryside or in a city.

The evidence of the research demostrate that the birdsongs had a positive impact in the subjects, although it's one of the few research that investigates the psychological effects of birdsongs. In fact, Peter Brash, National Trust ecologist, said that the birdsong it's good for mind and soul and this can gets us closer to the nature, memories, people and places.

Ratcliffe hopes to finish this project in three years, because the study will necessitate long hours listening to birdsong on nature reserves in the countryside.


The original news: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/21/scientists-study-psychological-effects-birdsong