Connecting with nature and watching animals is a great way to become absorbed for a while, set aside other thoughts and bring yourself into a more relaxed state. There is science to support this on a physiological level too.
One solution to self-isolation and not being able to go out in nature is to bring nature to you.
TFBI director Gary Evans shares his experience:
“I’m always amazed by the intelligence of birds and animals; they intuitively know where and when food is available. It doesn’t take long (sometimes minutes) for tiny beaks and mouths to arrive after I refill our feeders. I sometimes find one of our Robins eating out of the food box while I am still refilling the feeders! (As a result of these actions, I have concluded Robin’s got their name from bank robbers!)
With the speed of nature’s adaptability in mind, I would like to encourage you to create your own private nature reserve. Creating a personal nature reserve doesn’t have to be an expensive enterprise. If you are like me, you can derive a lot of joy from a minuscule amount of time, money and effort.”
Perhaps you have some old peanuts or seeds in the cupboard. If not, you can order something inexpensive online. You don’t even have to have a garden, just a location far enough above ground to attach your feeder to that will keep them safe from ground predators.
You can also use something from around the house as a feeder; please watch this two-minute clip from Eco-How on how to make a bird feeder from a plastic bottle.
The natural world is a constant source of joy and solace, when we step outside or look out of the window; watching birds can give a sense of inner peace and connection. When we watch birds and animals play, it creates a sense of joy within us. When we observe life around us, the world doesn’t seem so empty. When we spend time with birds and animals, we don’t feel so lonely. Keep an eye on local rooftops, power lines, lamp posts and trees too – you’ll likely see birds going about their day. And of course, look up and watch them taking advantage of quieter skies.
If you follow the above advice, within days, you should start to see a selection of birds arriving. If you continue to fill the feeders over the coming weeks and months, you should be provided with a window into a world filled with baby birds and parents teaching them how to survive. Remember to leave out some water too! As well as providing a drink for the birds, an added bonus for us can be the joy of watching birds enjoy a good bath.
If you are lucky, you will witness many heart moving scenes during this period. You will no doubt grow to understand, that a little care on your behalf means a HUGE amount to the birds and animals visiting you. To understand what your actions mean, watch the time and effort tiny birds put into eating a single sunflower seed.
Gary Evans consults with universities, government and the media on the health benefits of nature. Gary is also the director of the Forest Bathing Institute.
The University of Derby has studied our work; the results showed nature exposure can assist depression, anger, tension, confusion and fatigue. More information https://tfb.institute/the-uks-first-scientific-study-replicates-japanese-forest-bathing-science/