Houseplants are a great addition to any home, and can add a personal touch to any residence room. Besides the aesthetic appeal, however, having a little greenery in your space can have surprising benefits for your well-being.
Studies have shown that having flowers in your room, or even having them outside your window where you can see them, triggers feelings of happiness, increases feelings of life satisfaction and positively impacts social behaviour.
There are two different theories regarding the restorative functions of interaction with the natural environment. Attention restoration theory and psycho-physiological stress reduction theory address the different ways in which green interaction benefits health.
Attention restoration theory is based on the work of Rachel and Stephen Kaplan. It argues that people have two kinds of attention: directed attention that requires effort, such as problem solving, and fascination, which is explained as non goal-oriented and effortless attention. Directed attention is a finite resource that can be overloaded, which creates stress, and fascination is a method by which it can be restored.
Fascination is thought to be dominant in natural environments where there are captivating stimuli to hold attention. Gardens often have other benefits to mental health, including a person’s removal from other spaces, a sense of being connected to a larger world, and the ability of the environment to meet the needs and interests of the individual. The restorative quality of gardens can be applied to mental health in particular as cognitive challenges such as poor attention, memory, and problem solving are symptoms commonly reported as associated with various forms of mental distress.
Psycho-physiological stress reduction theory is based on the work of Robert Ulrich and focuses on the effect of nature on emotional and physiological functioning. He suggests that we are wired to find (non-threatening) natural stimuli relaxing, and that exposure to these stimuli can have an immediate impact on how we feel and trigger a parasympathetic nervous system response leading to feelings of enhanced well-being and relaxation.
A study done by Ulrich on patients in a Pennsylvania hospital following gall bladder surgery found that patients whose windows looked out on plants had shorter hospital stays, required lower doses of pain-relief drugs, and experienced slightly fewer postsurgical complications as compared to patients whose rooms looked out onto a brick wall.
A plant provides a low-maintenance opportunity for nurture, as compared to a pet. Although it may not have the same cuddling potential as a puppy, the stakes are much lower in taking care of a plant, not to mention the associated costs. Many plants are relatively inexpensive to purchase, and you don’t typically need anything more than water to keep them alive.
This time of year, indoor plants are a great option to brighten up your space. Most labels on plants in a store will tell you if the plant needs direct or indirect sunlight, and most of the time placing them near a window is more than enough. Some plants have different watering needs, but a quick Google search or question to the sales clerk when you buy a particular plant will typically let you know how much water your plant needs and how often.