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The Conversation
The Conversation
Jennifer G. Andrews, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Morehouse College

Flocking together – how a birding hobby may boost your mental health and build community

Birding is a good way to practice mindfulness, psychologists report. Jennifer Andrews

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a rut while cooped up all day at a nine-to-five job, or just felt stressed about work, school or life in general, you’re not alone. Hearing “just go outside” might sound like trivial advice, but researchers have been investigating a new, unconventional strategy to boost mental health: Seeking the company of wild birds.

You’ve probably heard them singing or noticed them flitting through the canopy, but if you’re not deliberately paying attention to their presence, they can fade into the background. A growing body of research suggests that keeping a watchful eye or attentive ear out for birds can help people from all walks of life feel more calm, present and refreshed.

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