Birds can be seen almost everywhere, and to start you don’t need binoculars or a telescope. You can expand your interest by concentrating on type of species found in the garden to the most exotic, taking you far afield. Many participants belong to bird watching societies. There is something for everyone.
Health benefits include:
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The great outdoors
Getting into the fresh air is great for mind, body and soul. It is a great way of sourcing Vitamin D which is vital for building strong bones and muscles. By being out and about it qualifies as a wonderful exercise making it as strenuous or low key as you want.
- Combat stress and relaxation Spending time in nature can have some incredibly positive effects on our mental health. Recent studies suggest that spending time around nature can be a great way to combat stress and relax. Birdwatching can be a very meditative activity allowing for introspection and contemplation.
- Improves cardiovascular health Birdwatchers are used to hiking to reach that elusive place where human's can't easily travel often on high mountains and cliffs. All that activity can greatly improve cardiovascular health, especially if you do it on a regular basis.
- Quickens reflexes Always being in a constant state of readiness often quickens the reflexes and keeps the brain active.
- Takes you places For many birders, once they have enjoyed the birds in their area there is often an insatiable curiosity about species elsewhere in the world and hence the motivation to travel which brings its own health benefits e.g relieves stress, decrease heart disease.
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An educational journey
Once a bird is spotted this often leads to finding out more about the species and brings the benefits of learning something new.
- Helping those with dementia Birdwatching can be a great way of connecting with family and friends and can help create a close bond with those living with dementia. Activities that involve visual aids can often help recall memories. Repetition can often be reassuring to some one with cognitive impairment. The process of looking for birds and identifying the species over a period of time can be calming for those living with dementia.
"We don't like to just add a name to our list. We also like to learn something about each species' habits."