Experts reveal the natural sounds which relax you – and those that can send your stress levels soaring

Listening to the sounds of nature such as birdsong reduces stress levels – but the sound of traffic increases them, new research shows.

The research lends support for anyone who is a firm believer in the curative powers of a walk in the countryside or through a forest.

In a study, 68 volunteers listened to three three-minute soundscapes: a nature soundscape recorded at sunrise in West Sussex, the same soundscape combined with 20 mile per hour road traffic sounds, and the same soundscape with 40 mile per hour traffic sounds.

General mood and anxiety were assessed before and after the soundscapes using self-reported scales.

The study by scientists at the University of the West of England found that listening to a natural soundscape reduced self-reported stress and anxiety levels, and also allowed good mood to recover after experiencing stress.

However, the benefits of improved mood associated with the natural soundscape was limited when traffic sounds were included.

The natural soundscape alone was associated with the lowest levels of stress and anxiety, with the highest levels reported after the soundscape that included 40 mile per hour traffic.

The research tallies with previous research that has found sounds, such as birdsong, can lower blood pressure, heart, and respiratory rates, as well as self-reported stress and anxiety.

The benefits of improved mood associated with the natural soundscape was limited when traffic sounds were included

The authors conclude that reducing traffic speed in urban areas might influence human health and wellbeing not only through its safety impacts – reducing traffic deaths and injuries – but also through its effect on natural soundscapes.

The authors writing in the scientific journal PLOS ONE add: ‘Our study shows that listening to natural soundscapes can reduce stress and anxiety, and that anthropogenic sounds such as traffic noise can mask potential positive impacts.

‘Reducing traffic speeds in cities is therefore an important step towards more people experiencing the positive effects of nature on their health and wellbeing.’

They added that their research highlights the importance of green areas in cities big enough to shield users from traffic noise and suggested that electric vehicles should also lower stress from noise pollution as they are quieter than petrol and diesel alternatives.