9 benefits of bringing the outdoors in
They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and temperaments. What are they? Plants! While the body of research continues to grow (plant pun intended), many studies indicate that there are multiple benefits of keeping plants in your office or home. Whether you are just beginning your plant journey or are an intrepid plant parent, here are nine reasons why caring for plants can boost your mental fitness.
#1 – Mood enhancement
Do plants really make people happy, as the saying goes? According to one experiment, people who spent 10 minutes in a room with houseplants felt happier than those in a room without plants. Green, slightly scented, and small plants seemingly correlated with self-reported satisfaction as well as measurements taken with electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood flow.
#2 – Reduce stress
In a study of young adults, Lee et al. placed a cohort into different rooms and assigned half with the task of repotting a plant and the other half with a computer task. Subjects then switched and completed the other task. Whereas they reported feeling soothed and comforted working with the plants, participants exhibited higher blood pressure levels at the computer. Perhaps more plants and less screen time is the way to go!
#3 – Biophilia hypothesis
It may sound elaborate, but this concept simply points to the human tendency to gravitate toward nature and other living things. Having plants around us is one small way to integrate that into our routine. Is it such a wonder then how after a weekend spent camping or exploring a National Park, we feel so rejuvenated?
As Sheffield Made Plants highlights, nowadays many of us spend up to 85% of our waking hours indoors – bucking against our natural instincts. If our daily tasks leave us feeling mentally exhausted, bringing nature inside with some houseplants may contribute to a more peaceful, relaxing environment.
#4 – Boost attention
Time Magazine reports that groups of elementary-age students were put into classrooms with:
– a real plant
– a fake plant
– a photo of a plant, or
– no picture(s) of plants at all
Subsequent brain scans showed that the children in the room with the live plant exhibited better concentration and attention. In fact, selective attention – the act of tuning out distractions while focusing on one specific thing – improved in classrooms with green plants. If it helps with test-taking, why not also work?
The bonsai and Japanese gardens at the Huntington Library in Pasadena, CA
#5 – Physical pain relief
When you imagine a hospital, what comes to mind? Currently, there are few facilities with features such as gardens and atriums. A metastudy of hospital patients found that those with a view of trees or plants were not only calmer – they also showed a reduced need for pain relievers and a shorter hospital stay.
As a quick aside, I previously worked in the business side of a cancer research hospital in greater Los Angeles. This facility maintained a stunning rose garden on the north side of campus, and I had more than one poignant conversation on the grounds with patients, their families, and volunteers. Not only do gardens inspire hope, they truly bring communities together.
#6 – Attention restoration theory
A framework with possibly the best acronym (ART), Attention Restoration Theory points to how nature can restore our focus and cognition (Positive Psychology). Some examples are watching sunset over the ocean, observing people from a park bench, or admiring a sweeping mountain view. Houseplants are only one method of designing an atmosphere of reflection or even fascination.
#7 – Color therapy
Purple and green-colored plants are helpful for decreasing feelings of negativity, even increasing self-esteem and overall satisfaction with prolonged exposure. A 2021 study from the NIH saw participants associate green, green-white, and green-yellow plants with positive feelings like calm, comfort, and restfulness.
#8 – Potentially reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
Simply observing, watering, or pruning plants can lower cortisol levels – the hormone attributed to stress. Various studies point to gardening or interacting with plants reducing anxiety and for some, even depression. As part of an approach to holistic wellness, Greater Boston Behavioral Health integrates plant care in their Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs.
#9 – Provides a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem
With live plants, you get the benefit of watching something you care for grow. My heartleaf philodendron, a housewarming present, has grown in three years from a few leaves to nearly 20 (and this is after I pruned it back!). If you don’t have a green thumb, not to worry – any form of greenery, even an artificial plant, is better than nothing at all. Try to keep your plant(s) within 10 feet to maximize all the benefits previously mentioned.
Basics of plant care
In their natural habitats, plants use sunlight to create energy through a process called photosynthesis. Whether placing your garden in- or outdoors, it’ll be helpful to know where the best light comes from. Which direction does your home face? South-facing areas and windows tend to have the brightest light.
As an example, my apartment boasts two gigantic windows, both facing south. The vast majority of my houseplants stay near these to make the most of the sunshine. This year, I began supplementing darker corners with grow lamps.
Additionally, what kind of environmental zone are you in – cool and temperate? Dry and arid? A succulent might do well without frequent watering in a coastal area with high humidity, but need more special attention in a place with colder winters.
What are some more beginner-friendly plants?
From personal experience – lucky bamboo, peperomia, and snake plants (sansiveria) are fairly forgiving. Bamboo stems can come shaped into coils or even hearts. They’re known to thrive in only water and pebbles and are fast growers.
There are many kinds of peperomia, but most are disc-shaped and branch out from a main stem. Typically, they prefer if you allow the soil to dry out between waterings. As a bonus, they’re also pet-friendly if you have a more adventurous cat or dog!
Snake plants come in a wide variety of shapes (straight and tall vs. short and spread out) and coloration (green to dark green or yellow edges). They are also more tolerant of lower light conditions and are great accent plant for corners.
Do you keep any plants in your home or office – or do you plan to now that you’ve learned about the mental health benefits they offer?