Starting The Year Right, The Power of Birding
As we step into a new year, many of us continue to look for ways to reset, reconnect, and find balance in our busy lives. One of the most grounding, rewarding, and downright uplifting ways to do this is? You guessed it! Birds.
Whether you're a seasoned birder or someone who enjoys being outdoors, there's a magic in birds that helps us feel more connected to nature, and to ourselves.
If you’ve been part of the Lyfer journey, you already know how much we love the way birding can ease stress, boost your mood, and bring a little more balance to your day.
And if you need evidence, look no further than a series of studies over the last few years that proved it. From a study by the University of Exeter in 2019, that proved birdwatching to help lower levels of anxiety and improve mental clarity. Or the 2024 study in North Carolina State University, published by Science Daily found that college students who engaged in birding reported improved well-being and lower psychological distress compared to those who did not participate in nature-based activities.
If that’s not enough for you, how about the recent article in TIME reporting a study published in October 2023 finding that seeing or hearing birds improved people's mental well-being for up to eight hours. It’s a great article, you should give it a read!
“The mental-health benefits are profound.”
Joan E. Strassmann, author of The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard
There’s also evidence to suggest that spending time in nature, (especially in the company of birds), can really reduce the effects of depression, and improve cognitive function.
Watching birds however requires a bit of effort and practice, much like those of us who meditate or actively practise “being present”, it takes a bit of practice to take our minds to another level of sight and sound, and into the world of birds. We know that you don't need convincing, but there are millions out there who could do with a bit of bird in their life.
If you’re a season Birder, and this year's focus is to get a glimpse of the Gouldian Finch, we challenge you as well, to tap into your well-being. Remember to stop. Take it all in, take a few deep breaths, and remind yourself how brilliant nature is and how lucky we are to have discovered this lifestyle.
Photograph by Bernard Spragg. NZ
Make it a goal this year to share birding with your friends. Too often, us Birders keep our passion to ourselves, worried that others won’t be interested, but here’s the thing, everyone has a bird story. Whether it’s the kookaburra that laughed during your family picnic or that magpie that swooped you when you were young, birds leave an impression on all of us.
Invite a friend to join you for a walk or simply point out a bird you notice. Share why it caught your eye or what makes it special. You might be surprised at how quickly they’ll get curious. Birding isn’t just about watching birds; it’s about building connections with nature, ourselves, and others.
