Birds Boost Americans’ Mental Health

  • Encounters with birds have a proven beneficial effect on the mental well-being of people with depression, which is the leading cause of disability and sick leave. 

  • Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms are significantly reduced by engaging with birds. The combination of being outdoors, focusing on the beauty and behavior of birds, and gentle exercise contributed to enhanced emotional well-being and a greater sense of peace

  • A higher diversity of bird species also increases people’s feelings of life satisfaction. Researchers found that a 10% increase in bird species had a comparable effect in life satisfaction to 10% growth in net household income.

A young girl and older man on a nature walk with backpacks and binoculars around their necks.
Photo by Darcy Rose.