Counting butterflies could actually help to reduce anxiety, a new study has found.
Researchers from wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation and the University of Derby in the United Kingdom found that the activity could actually reduce anxiety by 10 percent. The discovery was made after researchers surveyed people who had participated in a big butterfly count hosted by Butterfly Conservation in 2022.
Counting butterflies does not just reduce anxiety as a whole, but it also improves mental well-being, according to the study.
Previous studies have already shown that spending more time in tune with nature can be hugely beneficial to overall well-being. This study found that counting butterflies increased participants' connection with nature. Those who took part in the butterfly count also reported that they noticed butterflies more in the following 6 to 7 weeks.
"Our study showed that even small periods of time spent watching and counting butterflies are beneficial, with the benefits of reduced anxiety and stronger nature connectedness being the same whether people carried out just one 15-minute count or took part multiple times," Carly Butler, a Researcher in Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby and lead researcher on the study, said in a statement.
"This is key in proving that simple, small pockets of time connecting with wildlife and nature have a profound and beneficial effect on how we feel."
Studies like this help scientists learn more about what motivates people to protect and conserve nature. A summary of these findings stated that the more a person feels connected to nature, the more motivated they are to conserve and protect it.
"While we have long known that there is a link between nature and human wellbeing, this study is the first to prove that the simple act of looking for and counting butterflies leads to a measurable decrease in anxiety," Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said in a statement.
"The results suggest that citizen science projects such as the Big Butterfly Count can play a part in improving people's mental health, as well as gathering important data on how butterflies are faring to inform our conservation work."
Butterflies are highly important to local ecosystems and the surrounding environment. They pollinate plants, causing them to produce more seeds and fruits. Like many animal species, though, butterflies are facing several threats due to climate change and habitat loss around the world.
During the study, participants in the butterfly count reflected feelings of joy and fascination with butterflies. However, they also reported sadness and concern, as some reported not seeing as many butterflies as they anticipated. Many of them expressed concern over the trouble the planet is facing, the study added.
"Interestingly, the more intensely participants felt these emotions, the more their feeling of closeness to nature and noticing wildlife increased afterwards, with participants reporting they felt motivated to help butterflies and nature more, by doing things such as transforming their gardens into butterfly-friendly havens," Butler said.
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Uncommon Knowledge
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Robyn White is a Newsweek Nature Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on wildlife, science and the ... Read more
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