Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Birdsong May Help Lower Stress and Promote Relaxation
Listening to birds singing may help people feel calmer.
This could be useful for people who cannot spend much time outdoors.
Studies found that birdsong may lower heart rate and blood pressure.
It may also reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.
Bird sounds may increase brain activity connected with relaxation.
Morning birdsong might be especially helpful after people wake up.
A 2021 study found stronger reductions in stress markers among people who heard morning birdsong than among those who heard no sound.
Experts think lower-pitched bird songs may work best because they resemble parts of human speech and music.
More research is needed to understand why different bird sounds affect people differently.
Studies suggest that listening to birdsong can reduce stress and anxiety.
Birdsong has been linked to lower heart rate and blood pressure during medical procedures.
Research has also associated bird sounds with reduced cortisol and increased relaxation-related brainwaves.
A 2021 study found morning birdsong reduced stress markers more than hearing no sound after waking.
Lower-pitched songs, including those of mourning doves and common blackbirds, may be especially relaxing.
- Who
- People studied in research on the effects of birdsong, including patients undergoing medical procedures.
- What
- Research indicates that listening to birdsong may reduce stress, anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol while supporting relaxation.
- When
- The article highlights a 2021 study and suggests that birdsong heard in the morning may be particularly beneficial.
- Where
- The article does not specify a location.
- Why
- Researchers suggest birdsong may shift brain activity toward relaxation; lower-pitched sounds may be especially effective because they resemble human speech and music.
- Main finding
- Listening to birdsong has been associated with reduced stress and anxiety.
- Physical effects
- Studies linked birdsong with lower heart rate and blood pressure.
- Hormonal effect
- Research found a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol.
- Brain activity
- Bird sounds were associated with increased relaxation-related brainwaves.
- Morning listening
- A 2021 study found morning birdsong reduced stress markers more than no sound after waking.
- Potentially relaxing species
- Mourning doves, great tits, and common blackbirds have lower-pitched songs that experts believe may be more relaxing.