Traffic noise reduces the stress benefits of listening to nature, study finds
a year ago
- #noise pollution
- #mental health
- #urban wellbeing
- Traffic noise reduces the stress-relieving benefits of listening to nature.
- A study by UWE Bristol found that manmade sounds like traffic can mask the positive effects of nature sounds on stress and anxiety.
- Natural sounds, such as birdsong, lower blood pressure, heart rate, and self-reported stress, while traffic noise has negative health impacts.
- Volunteers listened to nature sounds with and without traffic noise; natural sounds alone reduced stress and anxiety the most.
- The study suggests reducing urban traffic speeds could improve wellbeing by preserving natural soundscapes.
- Researchers are now studying the impact of electric vehicle noise on human and wildlife health.