Have you ever thought of having plants as a way to reduce stress and increase your mood? One aspect of having plants is about taking care of something. It’s not just about having the lush green nature in our proximity, but being able to see plants grow and the process behind it.
According to Headline, “Caring for plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress as compared with mental work. This may be because caring for plants suppresses sympathetic nervous system activity and promotes comfortable, relaxed, and natural feelings”
There are also studies that show people are more inclined to become depressed in urban cities due to the lack of nature. Especially at a time like the pandemic where we are cooped up inside our house, having plants in your own home or your garden would keep your place a bit more of a relaxing and calming atmosphere.
So what are the benefits of growing plants
- May help lower levels of anxiety: Seeing and being around plants helps people feel more calm and relaxed, therefore decreasing anxiety. Just like mentioned before, there are studies that back this up and being around nature help calm your anxiety.
- Increases productivity: This study shows that employees were more productive when there are houseplants within the work place. It is said that having plants increases memory and attentiveness, so having plants in the workplace or classrooms can definitely help. There is always the idea that teaching outdoors during a nice day can help students focus during a lecture.
- Reduces stress levels and increases your mood: Taking care of plants can potentially reduce psychological stress as compared with mental work. This may due to caring for plants suppresses sympathetic nervous systems and promotes comfortable, and relaxed feelings.
No matter what your reason for getting plants is, it will most likely have a positive outcome for you. Whether it helps with your anxiety or adding some beautiful green color to your cozy room, plants are a great way to decorate your place.
Suggestions
Here are some suggestions for easy to take care indoor plants: aloe vera, snake plant, lavender, or eucalyptus. They’re delightful to look at and the sizes are perfect for small to medium size pots. What's fun about starting a garden is to get new plants and see how you can arrange them together to get the aesthetic you desire. It’s almost like collecting things and the more you get, the more you want to add to your plant collection!
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/plants-self-care#12
