University of Surrey research highlights wellbeing benefits of birdsong at Surrey Research Park

New research from our colleagues at the University of Surrey highlights that listening to one-minute-long audio recordings of forest soundscapes can have positive effects on people’s short-term wellbeing.

The research also found that improvements to wellbeing were more significant when the soundscapes came from local temperate forests, compared with more exotic tropical forests.

Dr Melissa Marselle, Lecturer in Environmental Psychology at the University of Surrey, worked with the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) to investigate the impact that different forest soundscapes have on people’s wellbeing.

Previous research in this area has identified positive associations between natural soundscapes and mental wellbeing. Scientists, however, do not yet fully understand how the diversity of natural sounds affects wellbeing, or whether familiar forest sounds are more beneficial than unfamiliar ones.

Published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, the research found that listening to one-minute recordings of forest sounds made people feel better, with participants reporting more positive emotions, better focus and less stress.

Notably, the strongest effects came from local temperate forests, with recordings from local forests rated as more familiar, more pleasant and more restorative.

The new findings add further weight to the idea that proximity to local woodland and natural soundscapes can play a meaningful role in supporting day-to-day wellbeing.

Experience The Sounds of Surrey Research Park

That feels especially relevant to everyone at Surrey Research Park.

Set within 70 acres of landscaped grounds with two lakes and on the edge of ancient woodland, teams based here enjoy easy access to green space with rich biodiversity, ideal for wellbeing walks or jogs, while still being just minutes from Guildford town centre and transport links.

Inspired by our colleagues at the University and to bring the research to life, we’re inviting you to plug in your earphones, carve out a moment and enjoy a minute of springtime birdsong recorded at Surrey Research Park on last week’s Earth Day.

From chiffchaffs, robins and the rich song of a Eurasian blackcap to coal tits and the faint rustle of a pair of woodland voles, the recording offers a small but vivid experience of the natural soundscape to be enjoyed at the Park.

Access to natural spaces is just one of many benefits and opportunities enjoyed by businesses at Surrey Research Park. To find out how Surrey Research Park could support your team to thrive and your business to grow, click below.