Growing Happiness: How Houseplants Can Boost Your Mental Wellbeing

Feeling stressed, anxious, or just a bit down? You’re not alone – and the good news is, there’s a simple, natural way to boost your mood: plants! Whether you have a single succulent on your desk or a jungle in your living room, plants can make a real difference to your mental wellbeing. Let’s explore how these green friends help us feel better, one leaf at a time.

1. Plants Help Us Relax and Destress

Just being around plants can lower stress levels. Studies show that interacting with plants, like watering, repotting, or simply admiring them, can reduce both psychological and physical stress. People report feeling more comfortable and relaxed after spending time with plants, and even their blood pressure drops. This calming effect is partly because plants help lower our stress hormone, cortisol, making us feel more at ease.

2. They Boost Our Mood and Happiness

Plants aren’t just pretty – they’re mood boosters! Taking care of a plant gives a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Watching your plant grow and thrive can bring joy, especially on tough days. The act of nurturing something living can help distract from worries and make you feel less alone.  Plus, the vibrant greens and colourful flowers brighten up any space and lift your spirits.

3. Plants Improve Focus and Creativity

Surrounding yourself with greenery can sharpen your attention and boost creativity. Research shows that visible plants help us concentrate better, remember more, and even perform better on tasks – great news for students and anyone working from home. Their natural colours and shapes stimulate our brains and make us more productive.

4. They Encourage Mindfulness and Living in the Moment

Caring for plants is a mindful activity. It encourages you to slow down, notice the little things (like new leaves or flowers), and live in the present moment. Smelling a flower or feeling the soil can instantly ground you and help you appreciate the here and now.

5. Plants Can Build Confidence and Social Connection

Gardening and plant care can be a shared hobby, helping you connect with others who love plants too. Programs like horticulture therapy use gardening to help people build self-confidence, make friends, and recover from mental health challenges. Completing simple plant care tasks without judgment can give a sense of hope and worth.

6. Cleaner Air, Healthier Mind

Many houseplants help purify the air by removing toxins and increasing oxygen, which can make your home a healthier place to live. Better air quality means fewer headaches and more energy, both of which support a happier mind.

Getting Started: Easy Ways to Add Plants to Your Life

• Start small with a low-maintenance plant like a snake plant or pothos.
• Place a plant where you’ll see it often – on your desk, kitchen counter, or bedside table.
• Make plant care a part of your daily routine: water, prune, and check on your plant regularly.
• Join a local gardening group or online plant community for tips and support.

In short:

Plants are more than just decoration. They’re natural mood boosters, stress relievers, and focus enhancers. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a total beginner, bringing a little green into your life can make a big difference for your mental health. So go ahead – invite a little plant into your home and let it help you grow, too!

Read this great article – Plants to help ease the mind by thrive.org.uk to learn more about how plants can benefit your mental health.