7 health benefits of indoor plants: From reducing stress levels to boosting productivity |
Indoor gardening is more than just a trend; it’s a way to bring nature indoors and enhance our lives. What started as an aesthetic movement, driven by Instagram and plant-based podcasts, has evolved into a holistic approach to improving our well-being. Far from being just a decorative addition, indoor plants offer numerous physical and mental health benefits. From reducing stress and improving focus to boosting productivity and air quality, the advantages of indoor plants extend beyond their visual appeal. Let’s explore the science-backed ways in which keeping plants indoors can positively impact your health and mood.
7 health benefits of indoor plants
Reducing stress levels
According to a study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, being around plants can have a calming effect on both the body and mind. Participants in the study who interacted with houseplants showed a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. On the other hand, those who completed a stressful computer task showed a marked increase in these stress indicators. The conclusion? Indoor plants could potentially help manage both physiological and psychological stress.
Sharpening attention
When it comes to focus, real plants seem to outshine artificial ones. In a study published in MDPI, with 23 participants, students studied in classrooms with different plant setups, including real plants, fake plants, and photographs of plants. Brain scans revealed that students who studied with real plants were more attentive and had improved concentration compared to those surrounded by artificial plants or photos. If you’re looking to boost your focus, real plants might just be the key.
Providing therapeutic benefits
Indoor gardening is not just for leisure—it can also be therapeutic. People dealing with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and even dementia have found relief through horticultural therapy. This type of therapy involves planting and caring for plants, which has been shown to elevate mood and improve overall well-being. Gardening provides an outlet for creativity and nurturing, both of which are therapeutic in managing mental health issues.
Accelerating recovery from illness
Plants aren’t just for decoration—they may also help you recover faster from illness or surgery. Patients recovering in environments with natural elements like plants required less pain medication and had shorter hospital stays than those in rooms without plants. The presence of greenery seems to promote a sense of calm and recovery, especially in clinical settings.
Boosting productivity
It’s not just about reducing stress—plants may also boost productivity. People working in spaces with plants tend to be more creative and productive. Having plants in your workspace can help you work faster and more efficiently, while also reducing stress and absenteeism.
Improving job satisfaction
Indoor plants can make more than just your workspace aesthetically pleasing—they can also improve your job satisfaction. Employees working in environments with natural elements like plants report higher job satisfaction. Greenery helps reduce workplace anxiety, making work feel less stressful and more rewarding.
Enhancing air quality
Indoor plants have long been associated with improving air quality. NASA’s famous study on phytoremediation, conducted in the 1980s, found that houseplants could effectively remove airborne toxins such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. While you’d need a significant number of plants to purify the air at the same level as modern air filtration systems, studies confirm that plants do help reduce certain pollutants. Popular air-purifying plants include areca, lady, dwarf date, and bamboo palms, along with the rubber tree, spider plant, and ficus tree.When introducing plants into your home, it’s essential to consider their safety, especially if you have young children or pets. Some plants can be toxic if ingested, so always check a reliable resource before bringing a new plant home. For example, plants like aloe vera, dieffenbachia, and sago palm pose a danger to both pets and children. Always ensure the plants you choose are safe to avoid accidental ingestion.Also Read: 7 easy hacks to stop cockroaches from entering your kitchen
