Which sounds in nature are you most drawn to?
Is it birdsong?
The wind?
Or the sound of running water?
Perhaps you love listening to the hum of insects or the sound of animals in the fields.
Nature and music are the perfect dance partners. Many composers have taken their inspiration from nature. Think of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons or Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and how the music evokes memories and mental images of country scenes, rural life, gentle babbling brooks or tempestuous thunderstorms.
Nature constantly moves and changes. It has its own rhythms and patterns which we mimic and connect with.
Green music is the magical combination of music and nature. While both contribute significant therapeutic effects for healing and calming individually, the combination works synergistically, enhancing total well-being.
German composer Deuter’s Temple of Silence introduced me to green music. His works are highly meditative and soothing. You may also like to take a listen to Steve Halpern’s work.
Another person’s work I came across when researching for my book “The Natural Advantage” is Gordon Hempton, also known as ‘The Sound Tracker’. He is an acoustic ecologist who has travelled the world recording natural sounds. I highly recommend you take a look at his website and take a listen to some of the beautiful sounds he has recorded.
Green music promotes relaxation and reduces stress
One of the highlights of the Shinrin Yoku nature adventure I experienced recently, was the opportunity to just be in a beautiful natural environment.
There was no agenda or need to be anywhere, or to do anything in particular. We sat or lay on a spot that suited us, and stayed a while, absorbing and enjoying the silence, other than the natural sounds around us.
Just like a massage, we were gently soothed and restored and curiously more energised afterwards.
This works by diminishing levels of the stress hormone cortisol while elevating a positive mood. Spending time in nature like this with just natural sound for company is an effective and simple way to help keep all our thoughts and worries in perspective and build resilience.
Green music enhances focus and creativity
When you notice how natural sounds and the environment are all interconnected, we develop what is called soft fascination. This is very different from the narrow focus many of us adopt during our workday when sitting in front of a computer screen.
This softness broadens perspective – you see beyond what is right on front of you. It calms the mind, putting you in a mental state favourable to creating insights and coming up with new ideas.
If your work demands high mental acuity and innovation, scheduling in time for some green music is ideal for stimulating focus and restoring mental energy.
Green music is healing
While I don’t go very often, I do enjoy a relaxing massage. The combination of soothing rhythmic touch, massage oil and background music puts me at high risk of falling asleep. The choice of music matters too. Natural sounds I find the best, though I have to admit whale song is not a favourite.
Green music as therapy has long been used to improve physical recovery from injury, surgery, or for those living with chronic pain.
Ecotherapy or nature-based interventions where the individual is exposed to a wide variety of natural sound is used by oncologists, paediatricians and those working in the mental health space to enhance clinical recovery.
Soundscapes of birdsong or sounds of the ocean provide an effective way to alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression.
Some meditation apps also provide these types of soundscapes.
Recent research has highlighted the role of music in staving off dementia. Those aged 70 or over who regularly listen to music have been shown in a study from Monash University to stave off their risk of dementia by up to 39%.
While this study does not examine the impact of green music, it will be fascinating to see the outcome of future studies that look at the effect of combining music and nature.
Meanwhile, with our rapidly ageing population, there’s never been a better time to include more music in our lives.
Moreover, because of other benefits derived from time with nature, it is ideal for people with cardiovascular disease or those seeking to increase their level of physical activity.
Green music is connecting
Our busy lives often mean there is less opportunity to spend time in a natural environment. The rapid pace of urbanisation and technological advances have contributed to what has been described as our “lonelygenic environment.” Loneliness in our society has reached alarming prevalence with roughly 43% of the population aged 15-25 reporting feeling lonely several days each week. Other age groups also report high levels of loneliness and social isolation.
Finding ways to overcome this can be tricky.
Green prescriptions work by helping the individual find ways to connect with green or blue spaces close to where they live or work. Accessibility is key.
Social prescriptions are those where the individual is invited to participate in community or volunteering groups, sport and or the arts. Within this space, a music prescription provides a pathway to connect individuals with health musicians to learn to play an instrument, listen to music as concerts, or join a choir.
Managing our health and well-being is always a work in progress.
It’s the small activities we engage with on a regular basis that produce the biggest impact.
Whether you love nature or music or a combination of both, these elements contribute significantly to our overall health and well-being in ways not achieved by medication or therapies alone.
I’m curious to know. Do you enjoy green music?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
