Birding and Mental Health

In the late 2000s, I was overly consumed by a desire to succeed and maintain my A game at work. I saw this as a benchmark for being a successful person. Little did I realize that this obsession had started affecting my physical and mental health. More hours at work meant less time for exercise, family time and sleep, and I was on a downward spiral. 

I started getting annoying, angry and, subsequently, arrogant when things didn’t go my way. Sadly, it started affecting my relationships at work, and I hit a nadir when it started affecting relationships with my near and dear ones. 

I was blessed that I happened to work with an exceptional human being, who hinted to me subtly about this change. A quarter of a year later, he was candid enough to say that I needed time off from work to reflect on the happenings. 

One thing led to another, I took time off from work and was on a 20-day road trip through a northern hilly state of India with three friends. One of them carried a DLSR, and I happened to spend the most time making images of nature at every turn. By the end of the trip, I fell in love with an equipment which captures moments and memories.

 Half a decade down this journey; I discovered the majestic animal, “The Tiger”. This resulted in countless trips to national parks to watch them up close and make images. Trips to national parks are expensive and time-consuming, hence not frequently possible. My amateur skills and equipment didn’t help either. These gaps did not satiate my desire, which resulted me in discovering photographic opportunities closer to home and over weekends. Sooner, I realized that what I was seeking was the time in nature and mostly to be with myself, not photographing or watching Tigers.

 That’s when I stumbled upon backyard birding. Luckily, India is blessed with abundant avian diversity and as per the 2023 data recorded 1377 species.

 For close to two decades I am fascinated by birds and I invest most time away from work to enjoy the flying avian species. Birds are magical. Their flight alone can arouse a clever thought.

The best lines I have read on birding are thus; 

“Joan Walsh, the Massachusetts conservation organization’s chair of field ornithology and natural history says; “There’s lots of drama,” she notes—like a soap opera that plays out in the treetops every day. In addition to mesmerizing avian intrigue, birders of any skill level can tap into robust mental health benefits linked to the hobby. “This connection we have with nature is a lot like being in love,” Walsh says. “I don’t know how else to describe it other than attachment.””

Why I am writing this today? Today is Mental Health Day, and I am lucky to have discovered this hobby well in time.

 Birding allowed me to be present with the moment and with myself. I think the most important quality in a birdwatcher is a willingness to stand quietly and see what comes. Our everyday lives obscure a truth about existence - that at the heart of everything there lies a stillness and a light. There are no targets to chase, nature does not work that way. I have learned the grounding reality that some days no matter how much ever you try you don’t end up making a decent enough image (in birding parlance – “Keepers” (the rest have only documentation not photographic value)).

 Birding allowed me to be outdoors and made me breathe, wait patiently and endlessly for that elusive bird. The adrenaline rush of that fleeting second when you happen to see the species and make an image is unexplainable.

 The outdoors require you to be alert and in good health; which naturally increased my focus on exercising, walking, trekking to build physical endurance.

 Birding allowed me to be considerate, compassionate with nature and humble. It has helped me connect with some wonderful human beings with whom I have nothing in common but a hobby. Needless to say that I draw inspiration from their wisdom and knowledge.

 I cannot be thankful enough to birding that no matter what the situation I remain sane, grounded, compassionate, vulnerable and considerate and focused on any task at hand.

“Sometimes I think that the point of birdwatching is not the actual seeing of the birds, but the cultivation of patience. Of course, each time we set out, there's a certain amount of expectation we'll see something, maybe even a species we've never seen before, and that it will fill us with light. But even if we don't see anything remarkable - and sometimes that happens - we come home filled with light anyway.”― Lynn Thomson 

Further, I am so blessed to be working with SAMSON Controls Ltd (UK) , which allows us employees the space to be ourselves and that it’s okay not to be okay sometimes.

 Sharing very few of my images and a letter of appreciation for my small contribution to document and collect data for conservation.

 “Birds will give you a window, if you allow them. They will show you secrets from another world– a fresh vision that, though it is avian, can accompany you home and alter your life. They will do this for you even if you don't know their names– though such knowing is a thoughtful gesture. They will do this for you if you watch them.”― Lyanda Lynn Haupt

Gratitude, and thanks for your time!

#worldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters #EmployeeWellbeing #InclusiveWorkplace

© - All images are taken by the author and are copyrighted.