The restorative influence of nature’s sounds on human stress and anxiety can be overshadowed by the noise of vehicular traffic, according to a fresh study published on November 27, 2024. Paul Lintott from the University of the West of England, U.K., and Lia Gilmour of the Bat Conservation Trust, U.K., shared this insight in PLOS ONE, an open-access journal.

Previous research has established that tranquil sounds from nature, such as birds chirping, can significantly reduce blood pressure, heart, and respiratory rates, and lower self-reported stress and anxiety levels. On the other hand, man-made noises, such as the roar of traffic or the hum of an aircraft, are believed to have adverse effects on human health and wellbeing in various ways.

In this innovative study, 68 student volunteers were asked to listen to three different 3-minute soundscapes: a serene nature soundscape recorded at dawn in West Sussex, U.K., the same nature soundscape overlaid with the noise of 20 mph road traffic, and the same nature soundscape mixed with the noise of 40 mph traffic. The students’ mood and anxiety levels were evaluated before and after listening to these soundscapes through self-reporting scales.

The findings of the study revealed that listening to a pure nature soundscape decreased self-reported stress and anxiety and also aided in mood recovery after exposure to a stressor. However, the mood-enhancing benefits of the nature soundscape were noticeably diminished when the noise of traffic was introduced. The nature soundscape without any added noise was linked to the lowest levels of stress and anxiety, whereas the highest levels were reported after listening to the soundscape blended with 40 mph traffic noise.

The authors of the study concluded that decreasing traffic speeds in urban settings could positively influence human health and wellbeing, not only by increasing safety but also by preserving the calming influence of natural soundscapes.

To summarize, the authors stated: “Our research demonstrates that the calming effects of nature’s sounds can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. However, these beneficial effects can be stifled by man-made noises such as traffic. Therefore, slowing down traffic in cities is a crucial step towards allowing more individuals to experience the health and wellbeing benefits that nature’s sounds offer.”