Houseplants and Mood

(read time: 1.5 min)

There is an explosion of data on how nature decrease stress, anxiety and depression. But new research shows that it's not just outdoor green spaces that impact your feelings of wellness, but also your personal indoor space.

YOUR BOOST

Get your green thumb on! You don't need a jungle to get this benefit, just a few pots that are calming and pleasing to you, and a few plants to go in them. Stick to cactus, jade and succulents if you're like me and tend to forget to water or travel often. (note, this doesn't have to break the bank, some of my favorite pots I purchased at Goodwill or found free on Craigslist)

THE SCIENCE

COVID was, and is, devastating to mental health. But from that devastation grew new insights into the environments we live in and create in our homes. And while it has been known for decades how outdoor green spaces play a role in the collective mental health of communities, what wasn’t known was how much good indoor greenery also has on your state of being.

New data show that houseplants positively affect feelings of well-being and decreases symptoms of depression. If you are lucky enough to have views into green spaces from your windows, that is a bonus. However adding plants to your window areas can simulate that feeling of being peacefully away and therefore create similar, positive effects on mood, even if your view is the building next door.

TAKE HOME

You don’t need an extensive garden to reap the benefits of plants on your mental health. A few strategically placed plants in your home can create a sense of calm and caring that translates into decreased symptoms of depression and increased feelings of well being.

No shame, no guilt, just more good days,

-Nicole