Good Vibes Grow on Trees

Science shows that our plants take care of us too

- Lauren David

RESEARCH HAS REVEALED many benefits to being in the presence of nature, whether that's walking in a forest, having a small garden or keeping a few household plants.

"One study showed that patients at a hospital who had plants in their rooms reported less pain, lower blood pressure, less fatigue and less anxiety than patients without plants in their rooms," says Jenny Seham, PhD, founder and director of AIM (Arts and Integrated Medicine) at Montefiore Health Systems in Bronx, New York. She explains: "Cortisol, the stress hormone, has been shown to lower with plant interaction, lowering fatigue, irritability and blood pressure. Gardening and caring for plants can help turn people away from negative thoughts or emotions."

Houseplant collections have become a popular social media trend. Jamie Keaton Jones, PhD, a psychotherapist in Washington, D.C., says that for many people, tending to plants has surfaced as a hobby that enables them to experience greater comfort and beauty from the presence of living things sharing their space.

"Plants and exposure to greenery have been found to have multiple mental health benefits, such as lowering stress, decreasing feelings of depression, increasing sociability, restoring focus, improving cognitive performance, improving mood and increasing self-esteem," says Jones.

Studies have also shown that plants and gardening increase productivity and levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for uplifting mood. "Rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, plant care helps one focus on the present moment and provides a feeling of accomplishment," says Gayle Weill, a therapist in New York and Connecticut.