Health

6 Mental Health Benefits of Plants

Everyone knows that both indoor and outdoor plants have a wide range of amazing health benefits. The same goes for gardening, as growing plants on your own is a unique and humbling experience. But did you know that plants have mental health benefits as well? If you didn’t, just keep on reading and check out the six most important of them. Enjoy!

Indoor plants can relieve your anxiety

Did you know that indoor plants can lower your stress levels and relieve anxiety? That’s right, which is a good enough reason to add several potted plants to your home. In fact, some studies show that indoor plants can lower both psychological and physiological stress. This is particularly true for green plants, as this color has very calming properties. So, if that is exactly what you need, get a nice plant and place it in your home office or living room. For example, lucky bamboo is a perfect choice for low-light environments. It can grow without soil, too – as long as its stems are submerged in water. Just give it a try and you’ll love it!

Their bright colors can have a positive impact on your emotions

When it comes to brightly colored flowers, we can freely say that they can positively affect the way you feel. Have you ever heard of color psychology?  It’s a field of psychology that studies the effects that different colors have on our minds and bodies. For example, yellow is said to stimulate the nerves and purify the body, whereas blue can treat pain and soothe illnesses. On the other hand, red can increase circulation, while orange is said to boost energy levels. If you want to test this theory, just make sure to buy flowers in different colors. You’ll see an instant improvement in your mood and the way you feel!

Plants can help you be more productive

Plants can boost your productivity, too, and this is another great benefit you shouldn’t overlook. So, if you need something to keep you motivated during a long day at work, a gorgeous indoor plant may be exactly what you’re looking for. So, don’t wait any longer and order plants online right away! From a breathtaking orchid and a stunning Venus hair fern to amazing succulents in all shapes and sizes – you won’t make a mistake whichever plant you choose. A nice plant in your office will inevitably make the entire space look warmer and more inviting. As a result, you’ll feel more motivated and inspired to complete all your tasks. If you don’t believe us, get some plants and you’ll see what we were talking about!

They can improve your concentration and memory

If you’re one of those people who have trouble focusing at work, you may try adding some indoor plants to your workspace! That’s right – being around plants can be beneficial for your memory and concentration. It’s because numerous studies claim that plants have calming properties. This probably has to do with the previously mentioned color psychology, as green itself has incredible calming properties. On the other hand, some people say that specific scents can help you recall certain things and memories. One of those scents is rosemary, so put it to the test and see what it can do for your memory!

Flowers can boost your creativity

Before taking on a creative task, be sure to have a plant or two in your environment. If you wonder what the correlation between the two is, we must say that plants can definitely get your creative mind going. This is exactly why biophilic design in the workplace is gaining momentum these days. Biophilia is based on reducing stress, boosting mood, improving creativity, and improving cognitive function. All of these can result in improved productivity and overall well-being, which is why you must give this trend a fair shot. Adding foliage and greenery to your office will help you think clearly and spark your creativity. It doesn’t get better than that!

They can speed up the process of healing, too

Last but certainly not least, plants of all kinds can speed up the process of healing, too. Just think about it – sending flowers to someone in the hospital is quite common practice, right? That’s right, flowers and greenery in general can help brighten up any space, which is very important for someone recovering from trauma or surgery. A beautiful flower arrangement can facilitate the healing process by helping patients in recovery. Lowering pain, relieving anxiety, and reducing fatigue are just some of the benefits patients can experience when they have plants in their rooms. If that doesn’t sound great, we don’t know what does!

As you can tell, plants have numerous mental health benefits you should never overlook. These six are the most important ones out there, so bear them in mind before you pick a new plant for your home. One thing is certain – you won’t go wrong whichever you choose!

Jack Kewell is writer, science editor, naturalist, entrepreneur. He is focused on writing and illustrating books. Also, he is a regular contributor on mountaintechblog