Jim Kwik explains how nature sounds like birdsong and flowing water calm your brain. An MRI study found that natural recordings activate the parasympathetic nervous system and improve attention better than artificial sounds do. He recommends adding nature sounds to your work or downtime to support brain health.
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If you're experiencing high levels of stress, listening to nature sounds, bird songs, or flowing water certainly will help most people calm your mind and soothe your emotions. A study conducted made an experiment where the participants listened to sounds recorded from natural and artificial environments while their brain activity was measured in an MRI scanner. And what the team found was there was an increase in rest-digest nervous system activity and also better performance in an external attentional monitoring task while listening to natural sounds compared to the artificial sound. We know that nature sounds evoke feelings of relaxation and calmness, leading to improved mood, decreased anxiety, and enhanced cognitive function. If you want to create a conducive atmosphere for optimal brain health, consider incorporating nature sounds into your environment, whether you are at work or just unwinding the day.