“The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” (Song of Solomon 2:2 ESV)

According to a recent study published in Scientific Reports, listening to birds singing can actually improve a person’s mental health, and mood and even help battle depression, CBN reports.

The study conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience based at London’s King’s College, used an app downloaded onto a person’s phone, to provide “real-time data” on the impact that birds had on people.

“By using the Urban Mind app we have for the first time showed the direct link between seeing or hearing birds and positive mood. We hope this evidence can demonstrate the importance of protecting and providing environments to encourage birds, not only for biodiversity but for our mental health,” the researchers reported.

“There is growing evidence on the mental health benefits of being around nature and we intuitively think that the presence of birdsong and birds would help lift our mood,” the study added.

The study also noted that hearing a bird singing benefitted a person for up to eight hours and added that people don’t even have to be outside, that simply hearing a bird provides a positive benefit.

READ: The Blessing of Birds: Study Shows Bird Chirping Tied to Better Mood, Mental Health