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The atmosphere becomes quiet, steps come to a stop, and a bright light shines through the rainforest. For a short time, I hold my breath as a high-pitched sound rings out across the Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad.

It’s the call of the Bearded Bellbird, and I’ve journeyed 4000 miles to this secluded piece of heaven simply to listen to its song following my research into ‘ornitherapy,’ a nature-focused wellness approach aimed at enhancing mental and physical well-being through birdwatching.

During a guided walk along the meandering path beside the river, I discovered that their chirping—used to protect their area, attract partners, interact with each other, and warn of danger—can also provide significant advantages to people.

Caleb Walker, a guide for HADCO Experiences at Asa Wright who has been working there for 13 years, states: ‘Bird watching provides substantial, research-supported mental health advantages, such as lower stress, anxiety anddepression.

Experiencing birds through sound or sight has been proven to enhance mental health. This activity acts as a type of moving mindfulness, helping people engage with the natural world, decrease mental exhaustion, boost their general mood, and offer a feeling of achievement.

A sense of tranquility envelops me as I observe a vibrant collection of hummingbirds on the delightful porch at Asa Wright.

Each one after another, they assemble at the feeders along the stone path, inserting their beaks into the small seed openings. The rush of their wings sounds like a hum that calms my thoughts and directs my attention to their motion.

I let my thoughts drift away, and any previous worries no longer affect me. This isn’t accidental, as studies from King’s College London have shown that being near birds is associated with improved mental health.

A research involving 108 people who were exposed to natural elements, such as birdsong, revealed instant and ‘long-term advantages’ for psychological health.

“Ornitherapy functions by means of attention restoration,” says Walker.

Even though it is not a recognized medical therapy, it “enables the brain to reboot in low-stress settings – and via sensory grounding.”

I can confirm that it is effective – within minutes of engaging in ornitherapy, I experience reduced anxiety and a greater connection with my feelings.

As a first-time homeowner, I’ve experienced significant stress in handling a property, which has made me feel down and not good enough.

I also deal with mild anxiety due to having faced job loss in the past, and even though I’ve had counseling to help with mental health challenges, feelings of hopelessness remain a constant struggle for me.

Therefore, I embraced the concept of ornitherapy with enthusiasm. There’s no need for any equipment to engage in this activity – just your sight and hearing.

Staff members at HADCO Experiences recommend starting by studying typical species, focusing on their environment, actions, vocalizations, and melodies.

The experience needs to be observational instead of following a list-based approach. Birdwatching holds the greatest significance when the attention is on how these species behave within their environment.

Birdwatching can be appreciated anywhere — even while sitting in your backyard. However, if, like me, you decide to venture into birding in a distant rainforest, it’s important to move carefully, maintain a safe distance, and let animals act freely.

At the Mt Plaisir Estate on the northern coast of Trinidad, I discover a fresh method to relax.

My spacious beachfront cabin at the secluded 21-room resort provides me with the finest ocean scenery and convenient access to a nearby river for kayaking.

Toiletries made from local ingredients in each room somehow reflect the spirit of the natural environment.

Leatherback sea turtles are observed on the resort’s sandy beach during the period from April until July to deposit their eggs.

For lunch, I eat shrimp, pumpkin puree, and a mix of vegetables, followed by homemade banana wine. As a treat, I have chocolate and sea salt cookies or red velvet cake, both prepared on-site.

When I’m not wading my feet in the resort’s warm, color-shifting pool or trying delicacies from skilled chocolate makers, I end up going hiking.

Mt Plaisir Estate is well-known for its diverse bird species, such as the Trinidad piping-guan, also referred to as Pawi, and trogons. This time, I am looking for the natural bath, a pure freshwater experience located deep within the tropical rainforest.

Similar to birdwatching, natural hot springs offer numerous health advantages, both for the mind and body, ranging from enhanced blood flow and decreased inflammation to encouraging sensory awareness and decreasing stress.

Giselle Ragoonanan, a tour guide with HADCO Experiences, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation, stated: ‘Natural surroundings help decrease overstimulation when contrasted with urban areas.’

An indigenous proverb states, “bathe in living water,” emphasizing that you never come into contact with the same water twice, and this process stimulates a flow within the body that supports recovery. My grandmother referred to rivers and springs as living entities—ancestors who are more knowledgeable than the earth itself.

For over two years, I have been experiencing issues with ankle tendonitis.Even after undergoing shockwave therapy, I still experience a slight discomfort in my tendon. However, the practice of natural bathing, also referred to as Blue Mind Theory by some, enhances blood flow to the affected area, easing my long-term pain.

Before visiting Trinidad, a person passionate about health and wellness shared with me the concept of Blue Mind Theory, which focuses on enhancing mental and physical well-being through water.

Popularized by marine scientist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols in 2014, Blue Mind is a condition that can be achieved by being near water, like swimming or taking a bath, which can both lead to this peaceful, healing state.

Healing Waves, a group focused on improving people’s health using water, states: ‘Research keeps showing that natural water sources can boost nature’s restorative powers.’

As the sun sets in the western part of the country, I reach Caroni Bird Sanctuary, a vast 12,000-acre region and the biggest mangrove wetland in Trinidad and Tobago. With the soft waves of the marsh, I glide across the water in a flat-bottomed boat, holding a rum-punch, while casually observing Scarlet Ibis, a bird that was once threatened by hunting.

My reference describes how these deep pink-feathered birds, featuring a long neck and a bill that curves downward, travel each day from the Venezuelan mainland to feed, and then return to the swamp at night—covering a distance of approximately 11 miles. These birds are greeted in the swamp by over 100 different bird species, caimans, crabs, and boa snakes.

As the sun dips below the horizon, a group of Scarlet Ibis that traveled a long distance to Venezuela arrives, painting the sky with their orange-red color, an amazing sight that draws many tourists like me every day.

Humans can gain ‘patience and attentiveness’ from birds, according to Ragoonanan. ‘Birds react to minor shifts in weather, light, and their surroundings. Observing them helps you slow down, pay attention to tiny details, and realize that ecosystems operate through balance and timing instead of haste.’

My experience in Trinidad highlights the frequently ignored ability of birdwatching to redirect, calm, and reset your mindset. Not only during moments of sadness, but also to consistently enhance your well-being—both mentally and physically.

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