12 Comments
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Kristina Ray's avatar

Great piece! Thank you for sharing. I love listening to nature sounds, especially bird sounds, when I'm writing or painting, and sometimes when I meditate. (Which prompted me to write a short piece about the benefits, but I've yet to edit it and publish it.)

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Thank you, Kristina! I love that you’re tuning into birdsong while you write and create—there’s something quietly powerful about that kind of attention. Would love to read your piece when you’re ready to share it.

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Lynette Adams's avatar

I discovered videos for cats on YouTube, just these videos that run for 8-12 hours of birds and squirrels coming to eat seeds. I started using it to entertain the cats I take care of but discovered it calms me way down.

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

That’s amazing, Lynette—I love that! I find them calming too. Stay tuned—there’s actually a Micro Memo coming soon on the science behind nature images and how they help us calm down too.

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Debbie Liu's avatar

A bit like the tradition forest bathing in Japan. Bamboo particularly supports the lowering of blood pressure and other health effects, even if in a pot in your office. And of course Wallace Nichol's Blue Mind reminds us of the health benefits of walking beside the ocean.

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Love this connection. Thanks for sharing this, Debbie.

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Misty Pratt's avatar

Love this so much! I put on the bird sounds you suggested, and it helped me unwind from a stressful day in front of my computer.

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Misty, I love hearing this! It’s amazing how something as simple as birdsong can shift the atmosphere—inside and out. So glad it helped you unwind after a long day :)

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Vanessa Gunter's avatar

I'm lucky enough to have nothing but trees and birds outside my windows, and I know it makes a big difference for me in how I feel. Thanks for this and for the resources :)

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Thank you, Vanessa—that means a lot. It’s amazing how much of a difference those everyday glimpses of nature can make. Grateful you shared this.

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it's her idea's avatar

Yes! I feel reinvigorated after a visit in the forest! The smell of trees, bird songs and rushing water, all together clear my mind too. :)

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Eli Susman, PhD's avatar

Yes! It’s amazing how a few sensory cues—birdsong, breeze, the smell of trees—can calm the nervous system. Love how you put this.

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