You don’t have to set foot in a rainforest to reap the benefits of its sounds

By now, we all know the joys of surrounding ourselves with objects we find aesthetically pleasing. But focusing on visual appearance takes up a significant chunk of our brain’s “processing load”, reducing the energy we have to focus on sounds, says Mary Hoang, author of Darkness Is Golden and head psychologist and founder of The Indigo Project.

Hoang says that’s a shame, as certain sounds, such as those based in nature, can offer enormous health benefits. She says being outdoors and listening to birdsong or trees rustling takes us out of the frantic “fight or flight” mode – the sympathetic nervous system – and into the calming parasympathetic system instead. This can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

This theory is backed by research, with a systematic review published in the journal PNAS in 2021 finding that “natural sounds improve health, increase positive affect, and lower stress and annoyance”.

But we don’t have to step foot in a rainforest to reap these benefits. Hoang says simply listening to forest sounds or the lapping of ocean waves via headphones can also do the trick.

White noise (which is often likened to the sound of an untuned radio or TV) has a similar calming effect. It contains all frequencies across the spectrum of audible sounds in equal measures, and is so soothing, Hoang says, it can be used to help you doze off.

Loading

Some sounds are so pleasing, they’re almost delicious. That’s where ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) comes in. This unusual condition describes the brain- or skin-tingling sensation some people experience in response to aural stimuli that can include whispering or rustling tinsel.

And then, of course, there’s music. “Music can elevate mood, increase creativity, reduce stress and stimulate memories and emotions,” says Hoang.

When it comes to which music you find nourishing, it’s a subjective issue with no hard and fast rules. “It could be classical music for one person and rock for the next,” says Hong.