Enhanced Study Performance - how nature sounds may help you study - part 2
Aug 7th, 2008 by andrew skeoch
In part one, I discussed music as background listening to enhance your study or work environment. I concluded that what makes for good music is what engages our minds and feelings. However in studying, this can be distracting, and not what we want. Ideally, we are looking for listening that is vital, not soporific, whilst not being overly distracting either.
This is where nature sounds may offer a unique listening choice.
The sounds of nature have an utterly different, well… nature. In contrast to music, we are tuning in to the world beyond the human realm. We are listening to the voices and songs of our planet. These sounds - birdsong, insect calls, wind and water - must surely be the definition of sounds that are vital and alive.
Can listening to nature sounds enhance our concentration and study performance? By relaxing us, while not engaging our intellect, it seems nature may be our ideal study partner.
To my knowledge, little research has yet been done to support this suggestion. However I was recently fortunate to have a discussion with a psychologist at Monash University in Melbourne, who had undertaken a simple study with some of her students.
She asked participants to fill out a questionnaire, and subjected them to moderate performance stress about doing it. Groups were given this task whilst different soundtracks were played to each in the background; music, nature sounds and even silence. Participants were not only graded on their questionnaire responses, but subjectively how they felt.
The results were fascinating. Silence was found to be the least conducive to concentration. Participants reported feeling uneasy in a room with no ambient sound. (What does that say about all those exams done in quiet rooms?). Music was found to be more relaxing, with classical music rating better than contemporary pop music - no surprises there. Interestingly, musical tastes were not found to be a significant factor. Many people who normally enjoyed pop music, did indeed find song lyrics to be distracting, particularly while writing.
The fascinating response though, was that nature sounds had an almost universally positive effect. Participants listening to natural sounds reported feeling the most relaxed and comfortable, regardless of their usual listening tastes. And coincidentally, they also demonstrated it was the most conducive to mental concentration.
This is probably not a surprising result. Many of us would probably respond that “yup, that feels right”. But why should nature sounds relax us? Why would birdsong and insect chirrups seem to do something to the insides of our head?
For me the reason is simple, if not easy to quantify. When you think about it, the human brain has evolved over millenia. During those eons, our ancestors would have lived totally immersed in the sounds of the natural world. We’re not just talking about a few sparrows outside the cave entrance, but a natural landscape stretching to the horizon, vibrant with life. They would have heard a symphony of nature at the beginning of time.
Our predecesors would have lived with these sounds all day, every day of their lives. Before human language, before music-making, even before we were fully human, the sounds of nature would have comprised our ancestor’s sound world. It is difficult for us to get a sense of what this existence would have been like, as our modern lives are so littered with distractions and urban noise pollution. We may get a glimpse of it when we visit wild places today - we get out of the car and the sounds around us are quiet, spacious, alive and full of subtle meaning.
The soundscape of nature has been the one in which the human mind developed. Thus it is likely to be the sonic environment which most facilitates a calm and clear state of mind. This is consistent with many people’s feelings that natural sounds are harmonious to the ears. Like fresh air, they sharpen our minds, encouraging both relaxation and attentiveness.
As I mentioned earlier, my work over the last 15 years has been to make and publishing recordings of pure nature sounds. In my travels to wild places to record these sounds, I have often stood in the forest with my microphones, reflecting on the way that the natural sounds around me bring me alive. I feel tuned in, clear headed. I’m sure this is the receptive state of mind most conducive to learning.
In our modern urban lives, good nature sound recordings can recreate a sense of being in such places, surrounded by nature’s sounds. Indeed, with a good pair of headphones, you can close your eyes and almost imagine that you are there. A good recording will contain a sense of space and distance that one can listen into.
There are many good nature recordings available these days. I’d suggest bypassing those that have a particularly ‘natural history’ approach, such as species identification tapes. Equally, be cautious of new age style productions - in my experience, some are pretty woeful, being made by recordists without good field experience or equipment. There are mass-market companies that pump this stuff out at budget prices, but you often get what you pay for. Your ears will tell you what is good.
At Listening Earth we have many free sound samples available on our website to give you an idea of the kind of nature recordings we offer. Our albums all play for over an hour, with continuously running audio. You’ll hear some of the most beautiful sounds we’ve recorded in our extensive journeys to wild locations. And they are easy to purchase, being available as digital downloads or on CD.
Of course there is more to successful studying than just what you listen to. Exercise, good eating, quality rest, social interaction and down-time are all important to a balanced state of mind. But when you do sit down to work, and choose what to listen to, try a good nature recording, played at realistic listening levels (ie; quiet), on the best headphones you can lay your hands on. You may like to put it on repeat, a good recording will not tire or bore you. Play around with listening to nocturnal or diurnal recordings - listening to birdsong late at night may seem odd at first, but it may encourage your mind into staying a little bit more awake!
Learning is something that we continue to do throughout our lives. It doesn’t stop at school or university. So consider what you listen to, because listening is as profound as anything you do. Choose wisely. Your choice of listening when studying or working may become your performance enhancement secret! Not to mention that it makes studying a lot more enjoyable.
|
[…] Read on to part 2 […]