1. Cornell Lab Bird Cams
Go birdwatching from anywhere with this livestream from Ithaca, New York. Calls from the chickadees, woodpeckers, and other species create perfectly soothing background noise. Presented in dazzling 4K, the stream provides a detailed look at all creatures visiting the Treman Bird Feeding Garden, located at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (Yes, the occasional squirrel makes a cameo, too.)
If you get drawn into the world of birds, then there’s a whole list of resources for identifying the different species who show up at Cornell FeederWatch Cam, courtesy of The Cornell Lab. With insights from expert birders, you’ll soon be able to spot the difference between a Common Grackle and a Pileated Woodpecker.
2. Homemade Espresso
Gentle music accompanies gorgeous aerial footage of the Hawaiian Islands and their surrounding waters in the Homemade Espresso channel’s video Flying Over Hawaii. For nearly 4 hours, you can watch beaches, waves, and rolling clouds fill the screen, making this a perfect video for anyone longing for a little island getaway. The video also features shots of blooming frangipani flowers, as well as a paraglider drifting on the breeze.
Even if living or working at the beach isn’t a possibility at the moment, you can always tune in to this video for some relaxing waves and incredible scenery. And the Homemade Espresso channel also features relaxing flyover videos of Greece, the Netherlands, and other stunning destinations.
3. Monterey Bay Aquarium
Watch the gently drifting sea nettles against their soft blue backdrop in this hypnotic and gorgeous livestream and turn up the accompanying ambient music to enjoy the footage to its full effect.
A part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Open Sea exhibit, these graceful creatures are sea nettles. Growing up to 15 feet long, these jellyfish have stinging cells along their tentacles, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. So although you may not want to cuddle up with these creatures, they’re fascinating to watch in their own element.
In addition to watching the sea nettles, check out the following mesmerizing livestreams on the aquarium’s YouTube channel:
Playful sea otters (YouTube) Greater Pacific moon jellies (YouTube) Several varieties of sharks (YouTube)
The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s YouTube channel is a gorgeous aquatic getaway available at any time.
4. 4K Relaxation Channel
Admire the towering forests on a sunny day on this beautiful virtual hike by the 4K Relaxation Channel. With the pristine nature of British Columbia on full display, it’s easy to get lost in this gorgeous footage. You really get to linger and look around in certain spots, mimicking the pace of an actual hike. Study the flowing streams, the giant trees, and even variations along the trail itself while bright birdsong helps pull you further into the scene.
Anyone who enjoys outdoor virtual tours and similar experiences will appreciate the soothing and beautiful videos on this channel. It offers a little jolt of sunshine in any weather.
5. Nature Therapy
The name of this channel gives you an idea of what to expect. You can relax to the sights and sounds of nature, watching the gentle snow fall over a river for hours or listening to ocean waves washing over the sand on a beach. If you want something soothing to look at while practicing audio meditation, for instance, then this scene is perfect.
Kris and Sean, the channel’s creators, describe the sounds of flowing water and occasional wind recorded in one video as “natural white noise,” and it’s a perfect description. For a similar effect, check out the many white and ambient noise tracks on YouTube for more relaxing sounds. Play these videos through your headphones and enjoy a relaxing aural escape any time, no matter what’s going on in the world around you.
6. BBC Earth Unplugged
Enjoy majestic mountain scenes and plenty of wildflowers in stunning videos from BBC Earth Unplugged. Hear the wind whip past you while admiring tall, snowy peaks, and admire the moody play of clouds among the rocks. While you watch, keep an eye out for some well-camouflaged birds and other wildlife.
The rest of the BBC Earth channel offers incredible, intriguing nature videos, including the sights and sounds of deserts and grasslands.
7. SkylineWebcams
Admire elephants, giraffes, and much more in live videos from locations like the Tsavo East National Park. At 13,747 square kilometers in size, the massive Tsavo East National Park is a protected area home to many large mammals, including lions, leopards, hippopotamuses, and waterbucks.
Keep an eye out for baby elephants joining the adults to drink some water and other scenes from the world’s most exciting ecosystems. In the Live Webcam from Kenya, you might catch a glimpse of some fascinating bird species—there are as many as 500 birds and feathered creatures that make an appearance. It’s the perfect video to watch if you want to simply appreciate these animals in their home environment.
Does Watching Nature Videos Help Decrease Anxiety?
Feeling more at peace is a common response to watching nature-based videos. In fact, viewing nature films may decrease negative emotions and lift your mood overall, according to a 2020 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
This may help explain the popularity of Blue Planet II and similar programs. There’s something compelling and calming about footage of this beautiful world. In addition, YouTube channels focused on nature offer a beautiful alternative to social media content that can cause feelings of digital anxiety. Unlike some corners of the internet, these nature videos are all about helping you feel calm, engaged, and peaceful.
Tune in to Nature on YouTube to Relax and Unwind
Whether you enjoy mountains, beaches, or snowy creeks, these YouTube nature channels offer relaxing views for just about everyone. The next time you need a calming mental break, or even some pleasant background noise, these relaxing YouTube videos set in nature are wonderful to have on hand.
