11 Ways Plants Bring Joy and Control to Our Brain
During Chaos
Illustration by Brittany England
During these crazy times, we all need something to keep us grounded
and happy. Fortunately, for us, we work around beautiful, life giving
plants.
and happy. Fortunately, for us, we work around beautiful, life giving
plants.
I found this article on the website Greatist. It is actually a
really good website and they have a few other indoor plant related
articles. In any case, here is a link to the article and a few sections
that I liked.
really good website and they have a few other indoor plant related
articles. In any case, here is a link to the article and a few sections
that I liked.
As modern accessories go, houseplants are not only beloved because
of the way they can spruce up a room but also for the way they benefit
our mental health. They can brighten our spaces, freshen the air, and
provide a mirror into how we’re doing on the inside. In fact, they’re a
great reminder of when, and how, to take care of ourselves.
of the way they can spruce up a room but also for the way they benefit
our mental health. They can brighten our spaces, freshen the air, and
provide a mirror into how we’re doing on the inside. In fact, they’re a
great reminder of when, and how, to take care of ourselves.
When the daily grind has us often feeling cut off from the
natural world, houseplants can help fill the void. We spoke to folks in
different plant communities about the personal wellness benefits they’ve
reaped from plant parenting.
natural world, houseplants can help fill the void. We spoke to folks in
different plant communities about the personal wellness benefits they’ve
reaped from plant parenting.
“There’s something really zen about potting plants or gardening
in general. Forces you to be present in the moment and not being
anxious about five million other things.” – Mary Marcella
in general. Forces you to be present in the moment and not being
anxious about five million other things.” – Mary Marcella
Houseplant ownership doesn’t just beautify your space, tending
to them can have an immensely calming effect as you get lost in the
moments of providing them care. This is an example of mindfulness, a
very helpful practice for coping with stress and anxiety.
to them can have an immensely calming effect as you get lost in the
moments of providing them care. This is an example of mindfulness, a
very helpful practice for coping with stress and anxiety.
A study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found
that participants who took part in a planting task felt calmer, more
comfortable, and more relaxed than those who completed a tech-related
task.
that participants who took part in a planting task felt calmer, more
comfortable, and more relaxed than those who completed a tech-related
task.
“When I get in a funk, I use the plants to help me out of it.
I’ll check on them if there’s any dead leaves, dryness, need of
watering, and move around to get some sun, etc.
This little bit of caring for something else (and who isn’t talking back
to me) helps me clear my head and restart my day.” – Rachel Able
I’ll check on them if there’s any dead leaves, dryness, need of
watering, and move around to get some sun, etc.
This little bit of caring for something else (and who isn’t talking back
to me) helps me clear my head and restart my day.” – Rachel Able
Different plants have different needs, and caring for them
means learning their little peculiarities. This means that you may find
yourself puttering around, fixating on how to give them light so they
grow evenly (as you should do with Pilea Peperomioides), misting them
(as you may do with some palms), and dusting their leaves.
means learning their little peculiarities. This means that you may find
yourself puttering around, fixating on how to give them light so they
grow evenly (as you should do with Pilea Peperomioides), misting them
(as you may do with some palms), and dusting their leaves.
“When my oldest went off to college, I bought myself a new plant.
Within 6 months, I had 75. When they die I feel quite sad, tell them I’m
sorry I couldn’t save them and thank them for the joy they brought my
family.” – Teresa Bond
Within 6 months, I had 75. When they die I feel quite sad, tell them I’m
sorry I couldn’t save them and thank them for the joy they brought my
family.” – Teresa Bond
Not all plants survive, this can be for a variety of reasons. Maybe
it was human error, or maybe they just didn’t have the right conditions
to thrive. Having houseplants can teach us to let go, and realize that
sometimes things just don’t pull together for success as nicely as we
wish they would. And that’s okay.
it was human error, or maybe they just didn’t have the right conditions
to thrive. Having houseplants can teach us to let go, and realize that
sometimes things just don’t pull together for success as nicely as we
wish they would. And that’s okay.
“When people come over to my house, they almost always comment
on my plants. I’m a super awkward conversationalist with people I’m not
yet close to, so it’s really helpful to have the plants to chitchat
about to get us going.” – Kristen Mae
on my plants. I’m a super awkward conversationalist with people I’m not
yet close to, so it’s really helpful to have the plants to chitchat
about to get us going.” – Kristen Mae
Although we are more connected than ever with the internet and
social media, for some of us, truly connecting in person can be a
challenge. One thing about plant people is that they absolutely love
finding one of their own in the wild, and plants can be a simple default
conversation starter that feels safe and secure.
social media, for some of us, truly connecting in person can be a
challenge. One thing about plant people is that they absolutely love
finding one of their own in the wild, and plants can be a simple default
conversation starter that feels safe and secure.
“I could never keep house plants alive. When I finally
confronted some past trauma and really dealt with some mental health
issues, suddenly I could keep a dozen house plants alive and thriving!” – Cameron Chapman
confronted some past trauma and really dealt with some mental health
issues, suddenly I could keep a dozen house plants alive and thriving!” – Cameron Chapman
We’re all a part of nature, and although many of us live in
cities and can feel cut off from it, plants show us just how connected
we all are. Consider it coincidental or strangely but often in
houseplant-loving groups (such as Houseplant Hobbyist on Facebook), plant people tend to notice how their plants mimic their internal nature
cities and can feel cut off from it, plants show us just how connected
we all are. Consider it coincidental or strangely but often in
houseplant-loving groups (such as Houseplant Hobbyist on Facebook), plant people tend to notice how their plants mimic their internal nature