Recent Study: Feeding Birds Enhances Well-being and Reduces Stress

A recent American study revealed that feeding and observing birds may have a positive impact on mental health and well-being; participants linked this activity to feelings of joy, gratitude, and calm, as well as reduced stress, along with enhanced focus and a sense of purpose and meaning. Researchers from Virginia Tech, whose findings were published on Friday in the journal Ambio, noted that bird feeding can be practiced from home, a balcony, or a garden, making it an accessible way to connect with nature, even for those who find it difficult to access natural spaces. Connecting with nature, including birdwatching, is among the activities that may enhance psychological well-being, as it offers an opportunity to step away from the pressures of daily life and focus on the natural world. The study involved researchers from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ohio State University, North Carolina State University, the Zoological Society of London, as well as a psychotherapist. It included individuals who feed birds in the United States and Canada, and researchers found that 95 percent of participants said that feeding and observing birds had a positive impact on their well-being during the study period, compared to 55 percent who reported that other life events had a positive impact during the same period, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.