This is a bird note.

In a children's hospital in Liverpool, England,

the sweet sounds of bird's song carry along the hallways.

It's a recording of the dawn chorus from a

nearby park and the intent is to calm the anxious young patients.

This hospital is one of a number of places in Europe where bird song recordings are used to foster an uplifting and therapeutic experience.

Research does show that natural sounds can help relieve stress.

Where some noises like TV, traffic, and random conversation make it hard to concentrate.

The songs of birds may make it easier. One expert

thinks that bird song relaxes people physically while stimulating them

cognitively. The body relaxes while the mind becomes alert.

Institutions have begun to put this logic to work.

A primary school in Liverpool played a soundscape of bird song and other nature sounds after a lunch break

when students would normally be drowsy. This appeared to help them concentrate and

become more alert and bird Song is now used at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, where a lounge plays bird sounds to help travelers relax before flights.

So if you're feeling stressed out, try playing a bit of bird song,

or better yet, step outside and listen to the real thing.

For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann. You're going to be.