Green Tip: Healthy Houseplants Increase Happiness

Written by Melanie Kozlan, Four Green Steps

Many believe that singing to your plants will help them grow (possibly because if assumes you've made great efforts to care for your plants) but even more people believe that having plants in your home/office will make you happier. Plants are scientifically proven to increase happiness as well aid those in recovery! Surrounding yourself with plants adds life to your environment and makes us feel more relaxed, similar to how we feel when we are outdoors appreciating nature. Caring for plants also takes us away from our stress and troubles and focus on other things. Some plants even purify our air! From the Gardening Guide: "Studies show more and more that taking care of plants can be the most efficient method to improve the physical and emotional general condition. They have a serene effect, they can reduce stress and relax muscles and therefore improve the mood people taking care of them are in. Different studies have demonstrated that the existence of plants reduce mental exhaustion. When we are overwhelmed with work, we just have to look up for a couple of minutes to a plant and we'll instantly feel more relaxed. In conclusion, plants fascinate and attract people, they break boredom and monotony generated by forced attention. The oxygen generated by plants creates a feeling of mental agility."