Are you fascinated by birds chirping and flying from tree to tree?, Would you like to understand their habits better? Bird watching (or birding) is an increasingly popular pastime that can relax you. All you need is a willingness to observe.
1.
Acceptance We want to
control every aspect of our lives, but sometimes things are just out of our
control. This can be difficult to accept, but it is a crucial part of maturity
to accept that things aren’t always going to go our way. Bird watchers know
this harsh truth as most have planned an extravagant trip in search of a rare
bird, only to have inclement weather or bad luck spoil their plans. Accepting
that not every trip is going to result in the perfect picture is a part of the
hobby, and the benefits of this can be transferred to other parts of life.
2.
Appreciation
for nature Bird watching inspires a harmonious union with nature.
It requires watchers to spend time in the great outdoors where they soak up vitamin D from the sun, breathe fresh air, and commune with animals. A love of the
beauty and of uniqueness of birds inspires a love of all nature, and spending time in nature is great for your
health.
3.
Cardiovascular
health Bird watchers sometimes walk
many miles in search of a certain species of bird. Many birds are nestled
deep in nature and are inaccessible to most humans. Certain species live
high-up on cliffs and mountainsides, and you need to hike to to get to see them.
Birders should push themselves to their limits, and set their sights on birds
that are far off the normal path.
4.
Contemplation
and Introspection Bird watching is a very meditative activity. Birders spend
long bouts of time in the quiet of the great outdoors without the easy
indulgence of distractions. Watching is a great opportunity to reflect on your
life, or to just zone out and think calming thoughts. Meditation can slow the decay of your brain’s grey matter, which happens naturally as we age.
5.
Increases upper
arm strength Bird watching in forests or other low-light locations requires
birders to use larger and heavier binoculars that can let in more light. Weak
arms will lead to shaky viewing, which can inspire bird watchers to buff up for
future sessions. Also, holding binoculars for an extended period of time
will increase arm strength.
6.
Mental
Alertness A bird can be here and gone in the blink of an eye. Bird
watchers need their brains to operate on many different levels to make
sure they can pick up on any clues that a bird might be nearby, and to snap a
picture before a once-in-a-life opportunity is eclipsed.
7.
Patience This is not a
hobby for those who want instant gratification. Bird watching requires plenty
of study to get familiarized with types of birds, and where they are found.
There is time to travel to that location, and hours of waiting to catch a glimpse of a bird. Plenty of situations in the
real world call for us to be patient. Bird watchers are better equipped to cope
with these circumstances.
8.
Quick reflexes Bird watchers have to be ready to seize the
moment after long stretches of inactivity. A bird can appear out of anywhere
and a bird watcher needs to ready the smartphone or binoculars to capture the
majestic creature in flight.
9.
Sense of
community Although individual outings
can be either solo-trips or undertaken with a small group, bird watchers have
fostered a strong sense of community. Hobbyists take pleasure in discussing the
details of their latest trip both online and in person. This common interest is
great for social health and making and keeping lifelong friends.
10.
Travel Those who
travel actually live longer. Travel is part of bird watching. Fans of this
hobby are all around adventurers extraordinaire with there possible birding
trips.
“I don't feed the
birds because they need me. I feed the birds because I need them.”
(Kathi Hutton)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“Birds, Birdwatching, and the U.S.
Economy” by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services
·
“How to Bird Watch” by wikiHow
·
“The Health Benefits of
Bird Watching” by Naomi Webb
·
“Top 10 Health Benefits of Bird Watching” by Health Fitness Revolution
Inspired by the Facebook
article, “Watching Birds Near Your Home is Good For Your Mental
Health” by Good News Network
No comments:
Post a Comment