Beyond the Visual: Unlocking the Hidden Benefits of Nature's Soundtrack
In many of our blogs so far, we have highlighted the benefits of nature in design, focusing specifically on the visual aspects of nature. However, non-visual aspects of nature can also benefit your wellbeing. In this blog, we want to showcase how nature, even when experienced non-visually, can have a positive, healing, and de-stressing impact. This blog will highlight the effects of sounds of nature, how they have been shown to alleviate stress, and how you can incorporate sounds of nature into your living spaces.
In 1972, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared noise a major pollutant. Additionally, according to the United Nations, 2007 was a turning point for humankind as for the first time, the majority of the global population lived in urban areas. This means that, for the first time, the majority of the population was experiencing urban sounds in their day-to-day lives instead of nature sounds. This shift could not be without some effect - for example, in 2024, Yun, et. al. published a study which discovered a link between high environmental noise and depressive symptoms. The important takeaway to note from these 2 pieces of info is that a) noise is a major pollutant, and b) it affects the majority of the population.
Though effects of the shift from remote to urban living are still being uncovered, there are some studies which show that nature-based sounds are perhaps more beneficial to the mind and body than city sounds:
Farzenah et. al. (2019) found that the application of nature-based sounds (birdsong, soothing rain sounds, river streams, waterfall sounds, or a walk through the jungle) for mothers undergoing elective cesarean section reduced c-section pain compared to control groups.
Akarsu et. al. (2019) found that nature-based sounds were effective in reducing the anxiety of patients following a non-surgical procedure.
Zhang et. al. (2021) found that waterscapes can promote good mental health in the general population by providing benefits in a few areas, specifically “restoration (e.g., reduced anxiety/attentional fatigue)”, and that they may promote psychological and mental health by enhancing urban soundscapes.
Stobbe et. al. (2022) found that while traffic noise is linked to higher depressiveness, birdsongs alleviate depressiveness as well as anxiety and paranoia in healthy participants.
With all of these examples of how nature-based sounds have the ability to alleviate negative mental health symptoms, you may be wondering how to integrate nature-based sounds into your living space. Simple interventions include the addition of running water sounds by adding a tabletop fountain in your space; placing live plants near an open window or fan so that they rustle in the breeze; or even playing nature-based sounds such as birdsong, rain sounds, or running water over speakers in your home. These interventions can introduce nature-based sounds into your space while helping to drown out traffic or urban noises.
Additionally, you can prioritize going out to spend time in nature. Since 2004, serial studies have been conducted in Japan to identify the health benefits of spending time in a forest environment, known as “forest bathing” (or “Shinrin-yoku”). Li (2022) compiled research that suggests that forest-bathing may have preventive effects on non-communicable diseases, and it’s noteworthy that some of these studies included the effects of forest-bathing in city parks! So whether it’s in a state park or in your nearest local park, get out and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being immersed in nature.
While the effects of noise pollution are still being studied, it’s easy to feel the difference to your mind and body when being exposed to nature-based sounds. Whether you live in a high-traffic area or one that’s slower-paced, adding nature-based sounds to your daily life by spending time outdoors or bringing nature indoors, can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, providing an overall restorative effect on your mental wellbeing.
