More people are beginning to discover the awe and fun of birding, and it is becoming one of the more popular outdoor activities in America to relieve the chaos, stress, and discomforts of modern-day life. Recent data suggests that around 96 million Americans engage in birding, representing close to 37% of the population aged 16 and older.
Bird watching has many benefits, including improved mental health, increased connection with nature, and improved patience. This fun outdoor activity and hobby has much to offer like uplifting moods, reduced anxiety, and improved concentration along with other mental health perks. Additionally, it gets you outside and moving in nature, this gentle exercise can promote a profound pleasure of the undeniable connection to nature and being wild and free.
Physical Activity
Although bird watching is not very physically demanding, this outdoor activity often involves walking or hiking in natural settings in order to spot the various bird species. Walking or hiking through the natural habitats provides low-impact exercise that when done regularly can help to boost cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and improve overall fitness levels.
Benefits of Bird Watching for Mental Health
Stress reduction: Bird watching can help reduce stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins and dopamine in the brain.
Improved well-being: Bird watching in serene settings can help improve well-being and reduce distress.
Calming effect: The peaceful surroundings and rhythmic sounds of birds can have a calming effect.
Reduced worry: Focusing on the sights and sounds of birds can help take your mind off worries and concerns.
Patience
- Improved attention span: Bird watching can help strengthen your attention span.
- Improved observation skills: Bird watching can help sharpen your powers of observation.
- Mindfulness: The destressing and meditative process helps you stay in the moment
Reconnect with Nature
- Appreciation for nature: Bird watching can help you appreciate nature and care for it.
- Empathy: Bird watching can help you develop empathy for other living things.
Social Connection
Although bird watching can be a solitary activity, it can be done in groups, and when out on an adventure birders often encounter one another. This opportunity can bring the unexpected benefit and unexpected joy of sharing the excitement of sighting a rare bird or sharing something interesting to bond over in camaraderie, which can feel restorative.
Adventure Education
Not only can bird watching be a rewarding adventure, but it also offers educational opportunities by being a lifelong learning experience. Birding enthusiasts can plan excursions to areas they normally wouldn’t visit to seek different bird species, this expands their knowledge of avian species, behavior, and habitats. Some people even participate in science projects by contributing helpful and valuable data to research and conservation efforts.
Stress Relief
Nature nurtures, whether it is enjoying the melodious songs of the songbirds or watching the graceful flight of a large raptor species, observing the feathered creators can offer a sense of tranquility and joy to provide a temporary escape from life’s many worries and pressures. What is more, is that the heightened awareness of being surrounded by all the natural beauty and wildlife can extend beyond bird watching to encompass all aspects of nature to enrich our overall quality of life.
Getting Started
This outdoor activity can be done purely for fun, or you can keep a life list of birds you hope to see and check them off as you find them.
To get started on your avian adventure simply step outside, walk around, and look for birds.
You can set up feeders with birdseed and water in birdbaths to attract birds to your home.
To be more adventurous, look online for an app, or purchase a guidebook for species native to your local area and plan an excursion.
Most experts suggest wearing clothing with subtle coloring to blend into the natural surroundings and avoid wearing bright colors. Most birders wear light blues, grays, and greens.
It is probably going to be helpful to invest in a set of binoculars to spot birds from a distance to avoid scaring them off.
It might also be handy to bring a camera to capture beautiful photographs and record your findings.
“Birding is a totally accessible activity. You can do it through your home or car window, while taking a rigorous hike, or anything in-between. I know bike riders who bird while biking, at least by ear,” says Rich Merritt, director of operations for Audubon New York, a nonprofit conservation organization that focuses on birds as well as other wildlife.
New Morning Hobby
If you are looking for something to get you outside more, that is a fun hobby you can do anywhere, at any time, without spending a lot of money, birdwatching might be for you. However, it is best done in the morning. Most birds sleep at night and go out to eat in the morning. As Merrit points out: “If you have your heart set on seeing many species, you’ll have to accept the fact that birds are most vocal and active when the sun comes up, making them easier to spot and identify during those early hours.”
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
TJW at WHN
https://www.fws.gov/story/2024-12/birdwatching-america.
https://ny.audubon.org/news/bird-watching-101-guide-beginners
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9623220
https://worldhealth.net/news/exposure-nature-yields-benefits/
