{"id":1658,"date":"2022-09-26T12:13:22","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T16:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/?page_id=1658"},"modified":"2025-03-04T17:28:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:28:17","slug":"birds-boost-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/birds-boost-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Birds Boost Americans\u2019 Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull accent-bg add-margin-top is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-9390e48b9e5e374ad4c5e474e3f0b139\">Recently published research is showing how birds and birding have mental-health benefits for people:&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1311\" height=\"1600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/536711101-BlackPhoebe_Braxton-Landsman.jpg\" alt=\"A black and white bird perched on a branch.\" class=\"wp-image-2401 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1311px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1311\/1600;width:400px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/536711101-BlackPhoebe_Braxton-Landsman.jpg 1311w, https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/536711101-BlackPhoebe_Braxton-Landsman-720x879.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/536711101-BlackPhoebe_Braxton-Landsman-1280x1562.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/536711101-BlackPhoebe_Braxton-Landsman-768x937.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/536711101-BlackPhoebe_Braxton-Landsman-1259x1536.jpg 1259w, https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/536711101-BlackPhoebe_Braxton-Landsman-480x586.jpg 480w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1311px) 100vw, 1311px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Black Phoebe by <a href=\"https:\/\/macaulaylibrary.org\/asset\/536711101\">Braxton Landsman \/ Macaulay Library<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-birdpress-simple-list article-list simple-list list-style accent-bg\"><ul>\n<li class=\"wp-block-birdpress-simple-list-item article-item\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Encounters with birds have <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-022-20207-6\">a proven beneficial effect<\/a> on the mental well-being of people with depression, which is the leading cause of disability and sick leave.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-birdpress-simple-list-item article-item\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/biosci\/biw173\">enhanced emotional well-being and a greater sense of peace<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-birdpress-simple-list-item article-item\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>A higher diversity of bird species also increases people\u2019s feelings of life satisfaction. Researchers found that a 10% increase in bird species had <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ecolecon.2020.106917\">a comparable effect in life satisfaction<\/a> to 10% growth in net household income.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull accent-bg-light is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-286d5b2c5f4af8128d890115381a5772\">On America\u2019s Top Priorities, Birds Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns two-column-section is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-998641f3f8bf00f4189d527950be19ab\">Conserving birds can provide real returns for a strong economy and good health\u2014two priorities for American voters across the political spectrum, according to recent polls. What is good for birds is good for people, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8fd7003d0e610108dc30be32a4767f99\">Investments in healthy habitats and thriving bird populations are investments in what matters most to Americans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1027\" height=\"1400\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sam_Claire_Sapsucker_Woods_Ithaca_NY_grandpa_grandaughter-Darcy_Rose.jpg\" alt=\"A young girl and older man on a nature walk with backpacks and binoculars around their necks.\" class=\"wp-image-2457 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1027px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1027\/1400;width:400px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sam_Claire_Sapsucker_Woods_Ithaca_NY_grandpa_grandaughter-Darcy_Rose.jpg 1027w, https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sam_Claire_Sapsucker_Woods_Ithaca_NY_grandpa_grandaughter-Darcy_Rose-720x981.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sam_Claire_Sapsucker_Woods_Ithaca_NY_grandpa_grandaughter-Darcy_Rose-768x1047.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Sam_Claire_Sapsucker_Woods_Ithaca_NY_grandpa_grandaughter-Darcy_Rose-480x654.jpg 480w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1027px) 100vw, 1027px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Photo by Darcy Rose.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n:root {\n  --sotb-accent-bg: #1f4e5c;\n}\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recently published research is showing how birds and birding have mental-health benefits for people:&nbsp; On America\u2019s Top Priorities, Birds Can Help Conserving birds can provide real returns for a strong economy and good health\u2014two priorities for American voters across the political spectrum, according to recent polls. What is good for birds is good for people,<a class=\"excerpt-read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/birds-boost-mental-health\/\" title=\"ReadBirds Boost Americans\u2019 Mental Health\">&#8230; Read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2459,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_birdpress_hero_toggle":false,"_birdpress_hero_type":"image","_birdpress_hero_image_type":"image","_birdpress_hero_style":"default","_birdpress_hero_ratio":"","_birdpress_hero_h1":"","_birdpress_hero_media_id":1869,"_birdpress_hero_media_array_id":[],"_birdpress_hero_media_array":[],"_birdpress_hero_media":0,"_birdpress_hero_video_id":0,"_birdpress_hero_video":0,"_birdpress_hero_youtube":"","_birdpress_hero_content":true,"_birdpress_hero_byline":"","_birdpress_hero_byline_bottom":"","_birdpress_hero_button_link":"","_birdpress_hero_button_text":"","_birdpress_hero_button_color":"","_birdpress_hero_date":false,"original_guid":"","_birdpress_hide_search":false,"_birdpress_page_width":"","_birdpress_global_cta":false,"_birdpress_widget_sidebar":"","_birdpress_next_article":1683,"_birdpress_next_article_title":"News Room","_birdpress_prev_article":1659,"_birdpress_prev_article_title":"Birds Strengthen American Communities","_birdpress_sub_navigation_id":21,"_birdpress_sub_navigation":"Benefits","_birdpress_sub_navigation_title":false,"_birdpress_anchor_navigation_id":0,"_birdpress_anchor_navigation":"","_birdpress_postType":"both","_birdpress_categoryID":0,"_birdpress_tagID":0,"_birdpress_parentPostID":0,"_birdpress_parentPostTitle":"","_birdpress_menuID":0,"_birdpress_menuName":"","_birdpress_listHeader":"","_birdpress_listLayout":"card-display","_birdpress_listColumns":"","_birdpress_maxItems":12,"_birdpress_listPaginate":true,"_birdpress_displaySort":true,"_birdpress_sortOrder":"DESC","_birdpress_sortBy":"date","_birdpress_listID":"","_birdpress_listClass":"","_birdpress_displayImages":true,"_birdpress_displayCaptions":false,"_birdpress_displayExcerpts":false,"_birdpress_attTop":"","_birdpress_attBottom":"","_birdpress_showLogos":false,"_birdpress_post_logo":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1658","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1658\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stateofthebirds.org\/2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}