If you are a house plant lover, you know the joys of seeing new buds bloom. You delight in seeing a tender new leaf pop out on your hardy cactus. Or you get tingly when you see you see a new white bloom on your peace lily just when you need a boost of support. But did you know that house plants can also improve your health and well-being? It is true and backed by scientific research. Learn more about 4 proven benefits of house plants.
1. Boost Mood and Calm
Research published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology in 2015 found that indoor plants can make you feel more comfortable and soothing. Specifically the study found that an indoor gardening task such as repotting a house plant lowered stress response. In contrast, a computer task project caused a spike in heart rate and blood pressure even though participants were young men who were very experienced with computer work. Researchers concluded that indoor plants help reduce physiological and psychological stress. Horticulture therapy has been around for many centuries. A story published on the Manchester England website discussed the benefits of doctors prescribing plant therapy to patients with symptoms of depression or anxiety. So with remote work here to stay, we can follow the example of Manchester, England, and use horticulture therapy to help us thrive better in our home offices.
2. Sharpen Attention and Focus
In a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research on Public Health in 2019, researchers found that having real plants in study spaces helps students be more attentive and concentrate better. Brain scans of participants in the study showed that the students who studied with live plants were more attentive and better able to concentrate than students without a real plant. But importantly, it must be be a real plant, not a fake plant or photo of a plant. So a bromeliad may be one of the best study aids to put in your workspace to help increase focus and attention.
3. Improve Productivity and Creativity
Many studies have found that plants in the workspace increase both productivity and creativity. One study frequently cited is a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Horticulture in 1996. The study found the people working in a computer lab 12% faster and were less stressed when there was a live plant nearby. In another study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology in 2004, researchers challenged students to make creative word associations. The scientific evidence supports that having alive indoor plant in a workspace can improve productivity and creativity. So putting a plant near your study or work space can help increase your creativity and productivity.
4. Improve Brain Health
Many studies have shown that surrounding yourself with greenery and house plants can improve the white and gray matter in your brain. A recent article in the International Journal of Environmental Horticulture found that plants have far reaching benefits for mental health, including reduced anxiety and stress, decreased depression, enhanced memory retention, increased creativity, and improved self-esteem. Being around plant life, whether indoors or outdoors, can help improve our psychological and cognitive well being, which may help to more happiness and life satisfaction.
Thrive More with Indoor Plants
There are many self-care ways to fight the negative impact of the pandemic and adjust to more remote working. One of the simplest, proven ways to thrive more is to add indoor plants to your remote workspace. Imagine a bookshelf with a cute family of plant friends that makes you smile. Or imagine a favorite plant friend always near your computer workspace, helping you stay calm and focused. Or imagine a big, beautiful plant in the corner of your room oozing feel-good positive vibes.
Easy Solutions to Order Plants Online
In today’s remote work environment, there is a lot more shopping online, even for house plants. You can view plants, make your selections, purchase with a credit card, and have them shipped directly to your home. Most online retailers package the plants in protective layers and use expedited shipping to ensure safe arrival. One of my favorite online plant retailers is called The Sill. You can sign up for their newsletter and get discounts and tips and even sign up for a monthly plant purchase plan. You can also enjoy browsing for plants at your local plant nursery shop. My favorite local plant therapy store in Fort Worth is called Grow Plant Shop which also provides online shopping
Believe in the power of plants to help you thrive more. Have fun browsing plants online or at your local nursery and treat yourself to a new plant buddy today.
Live Well with Zest!
Cheers,
Bev
