Nature’s Personal Self-Care Kit: Plants

Words by Shuba

Whether it is from an evolutionary or historical perspective, humans have always depended on nature for survival and sustenance. Nature provides us with water, clean air, food, and the very raw materials that have revolutionized civilization. However, somewhere between corroborating the survival of mankind and perfecting the recipe for human development, our relationship with nature has frayed as we, perhaps unknowingly, grew more and more disconnected from it. Today, researchers and scholars have a renewed interest in the human/nature relationship and strongly advocate for an intimate connection with nature to maximize the positive physiological and psychological benefits that nature contributes to our health and well-being. So, why not bring the great outdoors, indoors?

Indoor plants have enjoyed a boom in popularity over the past few years as the chronicle of ‘plant-parenthood’ won over the hearts of the Millennial era. This can be confirmed on any medium of social media, as hues of green can be found splattered over incessant posts of stunning plant arrangements and shiny green leaves sprouting in jars of water – and for good reasons. The houseplant fever is well justified. Not only do they help adorn our living spaces seamlessly, but they also serve a practical purpose as they can enhance our lives with numerous health benefits.

Ever heard of horticultural therapy? It is a nature-based approach of therapy that has been documented¹ as far as ancient Egypt, when patients that were struggling with mental illness were prescribed garden walks – and in the aftermath of World War I and II, recovering war veterans tended gardens to rehabilitate their bodies and minds. Tending to plants cultivates a routine in your life and hones our cognitive abilities and focus when we bear the responsibility of taking care of another living being. This sense of responsibility and purpose as a caretaker, provides a mutual sense of empowerment and gratification when you can notice the growth of your plants because of your effort and care. In fact, horticultural therapy is increasingly becoming a modern expression as a large body of research boasts the benefits of working with plants today. Researchers ² and medical clinics ³ in the UK have even been prescribing it to increase the well-being of patients with depression, anxiety, and dementia among other mental illnesses.

In a study ⁴ published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, a group of young men were instructed to choose between two different tasks: repotting a houseplant or completing a short computer-based task. Upon completion of each task, researchers measured the biological factors such as heart rate and blood pressure that are linked with stress levels. This study concluded that the interaction with plants had lowered the stress response among the participants while the computer tasks had instead spiked an increase in the heart rate and blood pressure.

To jog your memory on high school biology, this may be because soil contains microbes called mycobacterium vaccae which work as a natural antidepressant by releasing cytokines, that lead your brain to produce more serotonin. Scented plants such as jasmine and lavender are also popularly used for their calming properties ⁵ and have been proven to lower anxiety and stress and promote a good night’s sleep.

The process of transpiration, which involves the passage of water that runs from the roots of plants through the vascular system and into the air, accounts for about 10% of the moisture in the atmosphere – and this is applicable ⁶ to indoor plants as well. Research ⁷ conducted at the Agricultural University of Norway reveal that houseplants can decrease the occurrence of dry skin, colds, sore throats, and dry coughs as plants provide a humid environment in our living spaces.

A study conducted in 2002 also suggests that plants and greenery can be beneficial for patients in healthcare environments as they can act as a soothing and pleasant distraction that can comfort patients. This research ⁸ revealed that patients who had access to natural scenery in hospital settings needed less pain medications and shorter hospital stays in comparison to those that did not. Additionally, a study ⁹ conducted by Kansas State University, showed that viewing plants during the postoperative recovery period helped improve “physiologic responses evidenced by lower systolic blood pressure, and lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue.” 

Psychologists ¹⁰ have also found that plants can have a direct correlation to the quality of our work as workspaces that are spruced up with leafy greenery can increase your productivity levels up to 15%. A study ¹¹ conducted in the University of Michigan also concluded that we perform better in the presence of ‘green’ environments as they can alleviate your memory retention and concentration up to 20%, and a Norwegian study ¹² revealed that fewer sickness related absences were reported in work settings that utilized indoor plants and had natural light opposed to those that are devoid of nature.

In a day and age that celebrate accelerated lifestyles and instant gratifications, plants can teach us to pace ourselves and become mindful of our own needs. Much like how each plant is unique in the care they require, we also need to identify practices that nourish ourselves and equally importantly, practices that hinder our growth or harm us. Every living entity on this planet requires attention and care to survive, and humans are no exceptions to this rule. Thus, plants may just be nature’s best self-care kit as the practice of caring for your plants can double as a reminder to take care of ourselves and our emotional wellbeing.

Perhaps the sentiments that were famously shared by scientist Edward O. Wilson in 1984, when he introduced and popularized the “Biophilia Hypothesis” in his book Biophilia, does ring true. Wilson suggests that humans possess an inherent affinity for nature and living systems which in turn sparks a tendency in us to consistently seek them. Thus, this inherent desire may be why we become more productive and happier when we are exposed to natural light and greenery – as we experience a sense of belonging in their presence.