Feeling stressed? Research says feed the birds

In today’s constant contact, cell-phone celebrated, digital world, most people can go days or even weeks without spending any time in natural sunlight. Instead, we eat breakfast inside, or on the go, only to race to an office, filled with artificial light and plastic plants, for eight to 10 hours a day.

It’s no wonder Americans’ mental health is suffering.
Compare that hectic routine to those memorable moments when you’re able to sit quietly, let the sunshine warm your face, hear the birds, and allow nature to envelope you. While everyone longs for less stress, actually relaxing can be dauntingly stressful!
However, a new study out of the United Kingdom sheds light on one way people can de-stress: bird watching. The study finds people who watch birds from their home have lower depression, anxiety and stress compared to those that live in less leafy areas that have fewer birds. People “felt relaxed and connected to nature when they watched birds in their garden,” researchers say. These feelings increased with the level of bird feeding in the yard, they add.
Specifically, the number of birds people might see was directly associated with better mental health. “This study starts to unpick the role that some key components of nature play for our mental well-being. Birds around the home and nature in general, show great promise in preventive health care, making cities healthier, happier places to live,” says lead researcher Daniel Cox, Ph.D., from the University of Exeter.
Tina Phillips, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, agrees. “Overwhelmingly, studies show that people feed birds because it makes them feel more relaxed, that it’s something they’re interested in and ultimately something that makes them feel good.”
If you want to disconnect from the digital world and relieve some daily stress and anxiety, bird watching could be the key to increasing your mindful, mental health. Since studies reveal the more birds you see, the less likely you are to be stressed and anxious, it’s important to attract as many birds as possible.
The first step to attracting birds is to use an all-purpose tube feeder, which is the number one feeder choice, allowing birds to feed from multiple ports.
Once you have the right feeder, you’ll need reliable seed that will bring birds to your backyard to deliver that dose of stress relief we all desire. The quality of birdseed will determine how many feathered friends will flock to your backyard. It is best to stay away from seed mixes with cheap filler seeds like milo and wheat whenever possible.
For those who want to discourage squirrels from raiding bird feeders, look for a double-walled sliding tube feeder; the weight of the uninvited critters will move the outer sleeve below the opening, shutting of access to seeds. Other options include suction-cup window feeders, which can be placed in locations the birds can easily reach but the squirrels and chipmunks cannot. Multiple options are available at a variety of stores; choose what works for you and your pocketbook.
At the heart of it, everyone wants less stress and anxiety. Once you start watching birds in action, they’ll engage your attention in a way that keeps you in the moment, a state that provides mental relief. Admiring their beauty, listening to their sweet song and enjoying their antics will calm your overactive mind and bring joy and renewal.