310. Sounds from nature, like birdsong, can improve your mental health
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
It appears that the sounds we hear throughout the day impact our mood and mental health. In a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Germany studied the effects of traffic noise and birdsong on close to 300 participants. They found that listening to birdsong significantly reduced anxiety and paranoia. It did not have a noticeable effect on depression. On the other hand, traffic noise worsened the participants’ depressive states. Going outside, or even listening to birdsong audio clips, might be a way to improve your mental health and well-being.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
