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From succulent’s eye-catching shapes to flowers that bloom each season, houseplants bring their owners joy and enhance the decor of your home. If you excitedly anticipate each trip to your local nursery, you will be pleased to hear that research showed that houseplants serve a greater purpose.
In addition to just a pop of green, plants can make you feel calmer. Plants can also help reduce feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. The research conducted by The Cavell Centre in Peterborough, UK discovered that 83 percent of study participants reported that tending to their indoor plants made them feel less restless, less anxious, and improved their sense of well-being.
Dr. Philippa James, a general practitioner from the Cornbrook Medical Practice told Treehugger, “There’s a lot of evidence now about how two hours a week in a green space can lift mood – and then that too has physical, mental and emotional benefits. That’s something we need to harness." With houseplants, you can recreate this sensation from the comfort of your couch, or your desk.
“When we spend time around plants, we feel more deeply connected to ourselves, others, and something greater, which is necessary to combat loneliness,” Amanda Stemen, a licensed therapist and social worker told the Greatist.
Since plants are living things that need care, they can help you feel needed, give you a purpose and help you feel useful. Whether the plant begins to grow, springs new flowers, or simply thrives, you can see the result of your hard work. This sparks an inner motivation to continue caring for the plant and helping it reach its full potential according to the Greatest.
After sitting indoors, working from home and staring at a screen for hours, do you feel the need to go outside and see grass and trees? If so, you are not alone. That’s because getting outside in greenery is also very healing according to Stemen.
Doctors in the UK believe that being in nature is so important to people’s well-being that they actually write “nature prescriptions” for people with diabetes, heart conditions, anxiety, mental illness, and other chronic health conditions.
In Japan, being in nature has been taken to a higher level by the practice of forest bathing or shinrin-yoku in Japanese. This practice has been known to strengthen your immune system, lower blood pressure, decrease stress and anxiety; something that is very prevalent today.
So, the next time you find yourself in a nursery or plant store, don’t feel guilty filling your basket with aloe vera, snake plants, or even your run-of-the-mill succulent. Taking care of your “plantbabies” can give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment. As well as helping your mental well-being. So, pride yourself in your role as a ‘plant parent’ and embellish your home in green.
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