A PURBECK conservation charity has revealed counting butterflies can reduce anxiety based on a new study. 

A new scientific study by Purbeck wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, suggests counting butterflies can reduce anxiety by 10 per cent. 

The research, published in collaboration with the University of Derby, involved surveying people taking part in the conservations Big Butterfly Count 2022. 

Dr Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “While we have long known that there is a link between nature and human wellbeing, this study is the first to prove that the simple act of looking for and counting butterflies leads to a measurable decrease in anxiety. 

“The results suggest that citizen science projects such as the Big Butterfly Count can play a part in improving people’s mental health, as well as gathering important data on how butterflies are faring to inform our conservation work.”

The results demonstrated the activity reduced anxiety by 9 per cent on average while also improved mental wellbeing. 

Researchers also found spending 15 minutes observing and counting the winged insects boosted people's feeling of connectiveness with nature. 

Dr Carly Butler, a researcher in nature connectedness at the University of Derby and lead researcher on the study, said: "Our study showed that even small periods of time spent watching and counting butterflies are beneficial, with the benefits of reduced anxiety and stronger nature connectedness being the same whether people carried out just one 15-minute count or took part multiple times.

"This is key in proving that simple, small pockets of time connecting with wildlife and nature have a profound and beneficial effect on how we feel.”

The conservation charity said how connected people feel to nature is directly correlated to how motivated they are to save it and therefore the study may prove vital in nature's recovery. 

Participants reported a range of positive and negative emotions, the latter of which came from by not seeing as many butterflies as expected and fear over concern for our planet. 

Dr Fox said: "We’re at a tipping point, nature is in crisis, but we can all do something to help."