Nature Sounds Relax Body and Mind, Is It Right?
The sounds of nature and green environment have been associated with relaxation and human well-being for hundreds of years. Examples such as the sound of waves, chirping birds, and the wind blowing against the trees are believed to calm the human mind. But, how can the sound of nature relax the body and mind?
Is it true that the sounds of nature relax the body and mind?
A new study, conducted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School, examined and researched 17 adults using magnetic resonance scanners or (fMRI). They were told to hear a series of 5 different natural natural sounds and man-made natural sounds for 5 minutes. The researchers also used brain scans, heart-level monitors, and behavioral experimental tests to deduce the physiological causes of these natural sound effects.
Each recorded a different natural sound, the participants were assigned to measure the focus of their thoughts and reactions. Their heart rate is also seen to build up on the autonomic nervous system. Do not escape also to monitor the organ systems involved in this process, such as respiration, blood pressure, body temperature, metabolism, and digestion.
Nature sounds tend to have a relaxing and calm effect on the body
When the researchers studied the participants ‘fMRI results, they saw that there was activity in the brain’s innate mode network, which is the area involved in the participants’ thoughts of calming down.
However, the resulting brain activity varies, depending on the natural background noise played in the test. In particular, the results were found that the sounds of nature made by humans had an impact on the participants’ minds to focus on nature. Meanwhile, the sound of natural nature has the effect of pushing the external attention of the participants to be more focused on themselves.
The attention that results from the sound of natural nature, that is, includes things that are more specific and associated with conditions that involve psychological stress. Examples include the participants’ depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Then, the participants’ reaction time was also rated slower when they heard artificial sounds compared to natural sounds.
In addition, there were also detected differences in the participants’ heart rates. They show a response to the body’s autonomic nervous system when hearing natural sounds. And overall, the sound of nature is associated with a decrease in the sympathetic response of the body (feelings of dissatisfaction and rebellion) as well as an increase in parasympathetic responses that make the body relax and function in normal circumstances, referred to as rest-digest the response.
Not everyone feels the same effect
However, these results are not the same for everyone. For some people who had a high sympathetic response to the study, the results of this test noted the great relaxing benefits of nature for that person. Whereas people who started out with a low sympathetic response, they actually experienced a slight increase in body relaxation when listening to natural and artificial sounds.
The sound of nature, the open nature with a green atmosphere is indeed refreshing for the mind and body. Researchers also suggest that even just a few minutes of walking in nature can provide the benefits of tranquility in the body. Even if you can’t take a walk in the open, feel free to listen to natural sound recordings to make your mind relax and calm.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.