Of course, this study raises a particularly important question: why is birdwatching so good for us? Is it because it birders are being exposed to and experiencing birds, watching their social relationships and listening to their songs? Or are the nature-based benefits — mindfulness and stress reduction — derived from experiencing biodiversity in general (more here)? It’s also worth considering whether the mental health benefits of birding might be affected by race, gender and other factors? Because birdwatching is heavily skewed toward White participants (ref), efforts to increase ethnic and racial diversity amongst birdwatchers are essential to ensure that the attendant mental health benefits are equitably distributed.
Birdwatching Can Improve Mental Health And Reduce Distress In Students
𝐆𝐫𝐫𝐥𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭, scientist & journalist
