The sounds of singing birds drifting through a leafy forest may do more than create a peaceful atmosphere; they could measurably improve mental health. A new study has found that spending just 10 minutes in a restored urban forest while listening to birdsong reduced people's stress, increased positive emotions and made them feel more mentally refreshed than any other environment tested.

A psychologist says scientific research have cited consistent evidence to show spending time in nature leads to health improvements.

Sitting in a small, restored forest while listening to birdsong lowered people’s stress and lifted their mood in the moment, according to a recent study published in the journal…