The sounds of relaxation – Quiz

1.  Read the text and answer the questions. 

1. According to the article, what things do some people do to relax?

Some people take a hot bath, watch a film, go for a run, or listen to slower tempo music to help them relax.

2. Which places can you visit that could help treat some mental health conditions?

Taking a trip to a place rich in birdlife like parks, forests and canals and encountering birds chirping and warbling to each other in the trees could even help to treat some mental health conditions.

3. What percentage were nature sounds better at improving feelings of relaxation compared to voiced meditation apps?

The study found listening to birdsong as well as other woodland sounds boosted feelings of relaxation 30% better than an app.

4. Other than birdsong, what other nature sounds could help people to relax?

Other sounds which may help to chill people out are waves lapping on the shore, light breezes, and gentle rainfall.

5. True or False? Listening to recorded birdsong helps people to relax.

True. According to research by California Polytechnic State University, even a recording of the sounds of birds had a profound effect on people’s mood.

2.  Choose the appropriate words or phrases to complete the following sentences.

1. Try listening to some waves lapping on the shore. The sounds could chill you out .

2. I decided to give up my life in the city and move to a rural area.

3. There’s a gentle breeze blowing today, so it could be good to go for a walk.

4. I find eating ice cream and watching my favorite TV show really  therapeutic .

5. I love the sound of fresh snow as it crunches when I walk. 

The sounds of relaxation

In a fast-paced world, where stress and mental fatigue seem commonplace, we’re constantly looking for new ways to unwind. Some people take a hot bath, watch a film, go for a run, or listen to slower tempo music to help them relax. But what about the chirrups and whistles of birdsong or other nature sounds? Could they also help people to let go of the tensions of modern life?

According to a study by King’s College London in 2022, seeing or hearing birds could help to boost the mental wellbeing of people. Taking a trip to a place rich in birdlife like parks, forests and canals and encountering birds chirping and warbling to each other in the trees could even help to treat some mental health conditions. And it’s not just birds that could have a therapeutic effect on our moods. Another study commissioned by the National Trust compared the effects of woodland sounds with voiced meditation apps. The study found listening to birdsong as well as other woodland sounds like leaves crunching underfoot or the gentle trickle of a stream boosted feelings of relaxation 30% more than an app. Other sounds which may help to chill people out are waves lapping on the shore, gentle breezes, and light rainfall.

However, not all of us live in rural surroundings, and depending on where we live, a trip to the countryside to see birds may not be an option. But could the nature sounds that originate there still help you? According to research by California Polytechnic State University, even a recording of the sounds of birds had a profound effect on people’s mood, while other studies saw people listening to soundscapes of the coast and forests with similar outcomes to their wellbeing.

So, wherever you live, you can access the wonderful sounds of birds and nature, be it during a stroll through a wood or via some headphones. And maybe listening to the chirps, trills, warbles and whistles of some birds could help you to relax after a long, hard day.