Researchers have confirmed in a new study what many nature lovers have long suspected: the sounds of nature are soothing, while traffic noises increase stress.
Scientists at the University of the West of England asked 68 volunteers to listen to a three-minute soundscape recorded at sunrise in West Sussex, a rural county in England. Participants then listened to two additional three-minute recordings, the same West Sussex soundscape but overlaid with 20-mile-per-hour traffic sounds and again with 40-mile-per-hour traffic sounds.
Before listening to the recordings, general mood and anxiety were assessed using self-reported scales. Participants then again gauged their stress levels after having listened to a recording.
The authors found that listening to a natural soundscape reduced stress and anxiety. It also enabled people to feel happier following a stressful state.
When traffic sounds were included in the peaceful soundscape, stress levels were assessed higher, with the worst stress levels reported after listening to the recording of 40-mile-per-hour traffic.
A study by the American Psychological Association (APA) conducted last year showed that the average stress level among American adults is rated five out of 10, with 43% saying it is only getting worse, as The Dallas Express reported in February.
While Dallas-Fort Worth has struggled with noise, like that generated by air traffic from Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport or Dallas Love Field Airport, the metroplex has some areas that offer a quiet oasis. A study by nonprofit Earth.fm analyzed the “noisiest” cities in the U.S., U.K., and mainland Europe, and identified places within them that offer a quiet respite.
In Dallas, some of the recommended quiet spots include Old City Park, White Rock Lake Park, and the Katy Trail. In Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Japanese Gardens, Fort Worth Water Gardens, and the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge had the highest “Quiet” scores. The Fort Worth Japanese Gardens had the highest “Quiet” score in the state and the 7th-highest in the nation.
The authors of the latest study say that slowing traffic speed in urban areas could result in improvements in human health and well-being. This would occur both through enhanced safety and by dampening traffic noise.
“Here, we demonstrate that a reduction in traffic speed and therefore noise pollution can aid stress recovery and reduce anxiety highlighting the importance of exposing urban populations to wildlife. The reduced level of stress, anxiety and higher level of pleasure (hedonic tone) experienced by participants when exposed to a natural soundscape compared to a stressor event, even in the presence of masking anthropogenic [originating from human activity] sounds, highlight the importance of being able to hear natural sounds in our cities,” the study, published in PLOS on November 27, concluded.
For those who simply can’t get out and experience nature first-hand, Earth.fm offers more than 900 natural soundscape recordings from all over the world that listeners can stream for free.