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Why Having Indoor Plants Is Good For Your Mental Health
When we talk about house plants most people think of them as another way to spruce up an indoor space, but we are discovering that they go far beyond aesthetics. Having a couple of plants here and there in your home provides important benefits to your emotional wellbeing. This has never been more apparent than now.
A study with more than 4,200 people from around the globe, found that having plants in the home boosted the emotional well-being of about 74% of them. People with plants seemed to experience less frequent negative emotions than those who didn’t have any.
Plants are more than an indoor finishing touch or accessory. They bring literal life into an otherwise dead space.
Houseplants and Mental Health
If it seems like you’ve seen an explosion of plants recently, you aren’t imagining it. During the pandemic, the green indoor landscape has boomed, which has led to the emergence of several studies around greenery and mental health.
A survey of 38 questions was distributed through various social networks, like Facebook and LinkedIn, and reached people from all over the world. Researchers found that nearly three in four respondents felt like plants had had a positive impact on their mood during their country’s respective lockdowns. More than half of them said that they wished they had more plants. Moreover, participants who didn’t have any indoor plants and poor natural light in their homes experienced negative emotions more frequently than those who had houseplants.
The study also found that there was a growing interest in maintaining houseplants. More than 62% of participants said that they wanted to devote more time to plant care once things went back to normal.
These results echo the findings of other studies on plants, nature, and mental health that have been done before. A previous study found that people who spent more time outdoors and looking at greenery made feel more positive. There is something about the color green out in the world that just makes us feel good.
Why Plants May Help Us Feel Better
So how does something that can’t interact with us make us feel good? Actively interacting with plants reduces emotional as well as physical stress. Studies have shown that when we interact with them it can lower our blood pressure making us feel more relaxed.
Another theory is biophilia. This concept proposes that we gauge comfort from naturalistic elements as they are deeply rooted in our psychology and are an adaption from our evolutionary history.
Houseplants can subconsciously remind people of their positive experiences had in public green spaces that have been less accessible during the pandemic. Urban green spaces have long been linked to reduced stress levels and other positive emotions.
They also alleviate some of the loneliness so many people have been forced to cope with over the last year. This comes from more than just looking at a plant. You have to actively be caring for it – watering it, pruning it, removing and preventing pest infestations, etc. Things such as propagating and various tips can be found on a plant website. Just like a pet, a few houseplants can improve someone’s mood by giving them something to care for other than themselves. It creates a sense of connectedness, which is able to alleviate unpleasant feelings of anxiety and even loneliness.
The Benefits of Plant Interaction in a Low-Light Home
If you have a home with a big window that gets lots of light, you can easily add a few houseplants to your home. But millions of urban occupants live in tiny, cramped apartments that have very little natural light. Fortunately for these people, nature isn’t just limited to direct exposure. If you are unable to grow plants where you are, there are still a few things you can do.
You’ll be happy to know that there are currently even studies on the effect of virtual reality on simulated nature experiences to reduce stress. Another option is to have fake plants around your space. You don’t get the benefit of caring for them, but the green of the leaves sort of tricks your mind into thinking that you have been out in nature and it produces similar happy hormones. If you are able to go out, definitely make use of a public park to feel better when you are down.
There is more to plants and nature than green. Sunlight and fresh air are important for your mental health. If you lack sunlight, it is important that you do some sort of outdoor activity on a regular basis. This lets you breathe in the fresh air and lets you take in some sunlight. Regular outside activities help to lift your mood and boosts your energy levels.
As you can see there is a clear connection between plants and mental health. Consider getting a few plants for your space and taking time to go for a stroll outside.
