Green Therapy: Indoor Plants and Their Psychological Benefits

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, it's important to take a break and find peace in nature. When my day is stressful, I retreat to my living room where my indoor plants provide a tranquil haven. Nature has a way of easing the mind and promoting calmness. Besides their aesthetic appeal, indoor plants also offer psychological benefits that can help foster a positive and harmonious environment. Learn how these green companions can enhance your workspace and home life.

Air Quality Enhancement: A Breath of Fresh Greenery

Did you know that certain plants absorb certain pollutants in the environment? A study conducted by NASA found that plants such as the Areca Palm, Boston Fern, Spider Plant, Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen, and the Snake Plant filter certain pollutants such as benzene (found in textiles, rubbers, and plastics), formaldehyde (found in paper, carpeting, and resins used in cabinetry, countertops, molding, and furniture), xylene (found in plastic bottles, paint, and clothing), and ammonia (found in most cleaning products). When plants are filtering the air, this causes a compound effect of releasing more oxygen into the environment which then helps to calm our minds and bodies and improve concentration.

Stress Reduction and Relaxation: A Botanical Refuge

I once had over 30 plants in a small 600 square foot apartment when I had an incredibly stressful job. However, whenever I came home, I felt a sense of calm as my space was my botanical refuge. The visual appeal from the greenery along with oxygen production in the small space helped to ease my mind and in the comfort of my home. Plant maintenance became sort of a mindful practice as well. My morning routine would include misting the leaves and this would help me gear my mind up for whatever I had coming for that day at work. On weekends, my regular plant maintenance routine would help me decompress and shift my focus away from work if only for two days. Try making plant maintenance a mindfulness activity as you focus on all the sounds, feels, and visuals when watering, repotting, or cleaning the leaves.

Improved Concentration and Productivity: Nature’s Brain Boost

Along with reducing stress, plants have also been known to improve productivity as well. In a study from Washington State University, when plants were added to an office environment, participants’ blood pressure and emotions were monitored. Participants in the room with plants were more productive and less stressed than those in a room with no plants. In this work-from-home era, placing plants in your home/work environment can help you be productive, especially when that mid-afternoon slump tries to kick in. Also, it just helps every now and then when you glance over at that thriving Pothos plant that is trailing leaves of joy. It could be the perfect brain boost right when you need it.

In the dynamic interplay between psychology and nature, indoor plants can be our silent therapists, nurturing our mental and emotional well-being. Decoding the psychological advantages of these green companions reveals that bringing nature indoors can significantly improve our lives. Embrace the positive psychology of indoor plants and let the green therapy flourish in your living space as a tool for positive psychology.