Website lets you listen to the sounds of forests around the world

It’s been a busy holiday season and a crazy year. It’s safe to say that all of us could use some time to disconnect from the TV, our smartphones and even the world. Even though most of us may not be able to get away due to the colder weather or the COVID-19 pandemic, one website has a way for anyone to escape into nature.

Thanks to Tree.fm, anyone can immerse themselves in the sounds of forests from around the world with just the click of a mouse or the touch of a button.

You don’t even need to leave the comfort of your home to experience the peace and serenity you get from taking a hike in the woods. When you visit Tree.fm, all you have to do is click on the “Listen to a random forest” button. Within seconds, you are transported to a Zen-like place.

Want to know what the Patagonia Forest sounds like in Argentina? Here’s a quick sample.

The website will show a full-screen photo of the forest you’ll be visiting through the recorded soundscapes. As I tried out Tree.fm, I visited the Jangyeongsan Healing Forest in South Korea and then Malaysia’s Taman Negara National Park. You can also experience parks and forests in India, China, Madagascar, Ghana, Russia, Hawaii, Spain and many other exotic locales.

These recordings can include everything from waterfalls and rivers to animals such as birds and lemurs chattering away in the forest. Sometimes you may even hear the quiet voices and footsteps of others who were lucky enough to walk through nature’s path during the recording process.

The magic of Tree.fm comes from people who take the time to take photos and record the sounds from all of these beautiful forests. It is a one-stop hub for the natural sounds collected from travelers who send their recordings to the Sounds of the Forest archive. If you’re looking for a specific forest location, this database will be a treasure trove of nature sounds. You’ll find a map of the world with interactive points where visitors can click and listen to the sounds of that location.

Beyond the simple pleasure of listening to nature, scientists have shown it has a positive effect on people’s attention span and relaxation.

A 2017 English study showed people who listened to nature sounds were able to focus better on tasks and reduce their heart rate and the body’s “fight-or-flight” sensation.

If you can’t get out for a hike in the woods anytime soon, perhaps searching through Tree.fm’s nature sounds library can give you a little peace of mind and time away from the daily stress in your life.