Plants With Benefits: 5 Reasons Why Indoor Plants Are Great For Overall Well-being

Published in

thepinch.life

4 min readAug 10, 2023

The indoor gardening trend continues to flourish, fuelled by Instagram’s botanical aesthetics, plant-centred podcasts, and more. While social media trends often come and go quickly, indoor gardening’s potential longevity shines through its profound impact on health and well-being.

Indoor plants offer numerous mental and physical health advantages. Studies have correlated houseplants with stress reduction, decreased blood pressure, and enhanced mental states. Notably, incorporating plants into office spaces has been linked to increased job satisfaction and reduced health concerns.

The allure of houseplants stems from our innate yearning to connect with nature, amplified by the calming effects of their verdant hues. Even a single plant can invigorate a drab space and uplift your mood, underscoring the powerful impact of bringing nature indoors.

Here are the advantages of living in and working around indoor plants, according to various studies.

Indoor Plants May Reduce Stress Levels

One of the many ways to combat stress at home is to have plants in your living space. A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology revealed that having indoor plants in your living space can usher in a sense of comfort, tranquillity, and natural connection. The research involved tasks like repotting plants and computer activities, measuring stress indicators like heart rate and blood pressure. Surprisingly, tending to plants eased stress responses, in contrast to computer tasks that led to heightened physiological stress. The study suggests that cultivating indoor plants might hold the key to reducing both physical and psychological stress levels.

2. Indoor Plants Have The Capacity To Purify Air

The concept of phytoremediation, where plants purify the air by absorbing pollutants, gained momentum from a NASA study during the 1980s. Initially aimed at enhancing air quality in enclosed spacecraft, the research highlighted houseplants’ ability to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through their roots and soil.

While subsequent studies have both substantiated and challenged these early observations, recent insights indicate that the air-purifying prowess of plants may be rivalled by modern biofilters and advanced technologies. While a lush indoor garden can certainly contribute, the synergy of greenery and innovation might hold the key to fresher indoor atmospheres.

3. Indoor Plants May Help Recover From Illness Faster

The sight of plants and flowers has been linked to a potential acceleration in recovery from illness, injury, or surgical procedures. A comprehensive review conducted in 2002 uncovered that individuals recuperating from various surgeries experienced reduced pain medication requirements and shorter hospital stays when exposed to greenery during their recovery phases.

It’s worth highlighting that the majority of research in this domain focuses on the influence of plants and natural landscapes within hospital settings, rather than within the confines of one’s home. This underscores the intriguing relationship between nature and healing, particularly in medical environments.

4. Indoor Plants May Change Your Outlook On Work

A study involving 440 employees at a tech joint across India and the United States revealed intriguing findings. Employees situated in office environments with natural features such as indoor plants reported higher levels of job satisfaction and a stronger sense of commitment to the organisation. These natural elements were observed to act as a protective barrier, mitigating the impact of job-related stress and anxiety.

5. Indoor Plants May Help Boost Productivity

Numerous research endeavours have consistently highlighted the positive impact of incorporating plants into workspaces, enhancing both productivity and creativity. A notable study from 1996, often referenced, discovered that students in a campus computer lab exhibited 12 per cent higher work speed and reduced stress levels when surrounded by plants.

Furthermore, a study conducted in 2007 unveiled a compelling correlation between increased plant presence in workspaces, leading to reduced sick days and heightened job productivity. These findings underscore the multifaceted benefits of incorporating greenery into professional environments.

In Conclusion

Embracing indoor plants offers a variety of health benefits, many of which are beneficial to our mental health. It’s more than just a pastime; it’s a rewarding activity that consistently gives new ideas, encourages self-expression via plant choice and care, and provides a real sense of success.

References:

Plants With Benefits: 5 Reasons Why Indoor Plants Are Great For Overall Well-being

Written by Sunetra Ghose