STOP and...look at the birds🐦?

A newsletter from Johnson County Mental Health Center

Need to calm down? Have you tried looking at or listening to a bird? A little birdie told us that being around birds improves mental health outcomes. According to a study conducted in 2022, researchers found a significant positive association between seeing or hearing birds. They enhanced mental well-being, even when looking at other arenas like education, occupation, or the presence of greenery and water, which have both been associated with positive mental health outcomes. Seeing or hearing birds can be good for our mental well-being, specifically soothing our mind and body.

There's always something going on, and we could all use a moment of calm and awe these days – birds can give us that. Research finds that their songs and calls are some of the most restorative natural sounds.

Birds can create a sense of awe (if you've seen a hummingbird, you get it), which has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety and improve our relationships. So, what kind of bird/bird sounds should you be looking for? Ones that you like! Birds that make you feel nostalgic, evoke positive memories and create a sense of wonder. So, what else can we do to boost our mental health by spending some time around birds?

Get mindful and pay attention to details like birds' colors, feathers, eyes and feet. Looking at the details of birds can enhance your experience, and by tapping into your senses while birdwatching you can feel grounded.

Notice what sparks joy for you. Birdwatchers who pay attention to the joy they feel for each bird have reported greater mental health benefits than those who merely count the birds they see.

If you're not so into birds, there are ways to get the benefits without watching them. Listen to birdsong. The American Bird Conservancy gathered favorite bird sounds and songs in the US. We're also a big fan of Birdsong Swirl (Forest) by Endel.

There's always something going on, and we could all use a moment of calm and awe these days. So let's give in and try to be aware next time we see a bird that evokes joy, awe or nostalgia. Stop and soak it in. Maybe you’ll see or hear something you’ve never experienced before. You’ve got this, and we’ve got you. If you need mental health support or resources for yourself or a loved one, call us 24/7 at 913-268-0156 or call or text 988.

Photo by Yuri Kharounov

Heat Safety - Johnson County Government
Why birds and their songs are good for our mental health - The Washington Post
Why You Should Listen to the Songs of Birds - Medium
Feeling down? Step outside for a bird walk - NPR
How Bird Songs Improve Mental Health - The American Institute of Stress
Nature Sounds: Birds Chirping - Spotify

Sept. 21: Adult Mental Health First Aid - Virtual

Sept. 21-22: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

Mental Health First Aid is an interactive 8-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds an understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. ASIST is a resource for the whole community. It helps people apply suicide first-aid in many settings: with family, friends, co-workers, teammates and formal caregiving roles.