Researchers at North Carolina State University studied how different soundscapes and locations affect emotions and a sense of restoration. Participants sat wearing noise-cancelling headphones either on a reclaimed nature trail isolated from development or in a busy urban area. The headphones played traffic noise or birdsong, and the team randomized both the location and the soundtrack for each person. This allowed them to separate the effects of place and sound.
After the experience, participants reported changes in stress and how refreshed they felt, a measure the researchers call restorativeness. Lead author Nils Peterson of the NC State College of Natural Resources said the effects of natural sights and sounds were immediate and pronounced. Green space with birds increased positive emotions, reduced negative emotions, lowered stress and raised feelings of restoration more than any other combination. Urban locations with car sounds showed the opposite pattern, and mixed combinations produced mixed results.
Difficult words
- soundscape — a mix of sounds in an environmentsoundscapes
- reclaim — to return land to a natural statereclaimed
- randomize — to choose or order by chancerandomized
- restorativeness — quality of making someone feel refreshed
- pronounced — strong, clear, or easily noticed
- green space — an outdoor area with plants and grass
- separate — to keep two things apart
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever felt more relaxed in a green space because of sounds? Describe the sounds and how they helped.
- How could city planners use these findings to make urban areas better for people’s emotions and stress?
- If you wore noise-cancelling headphones, would you choose birdsong or traffic noise on a city walk? Why?
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