Life can be stressful. Increased stress can cause anxiety, poor sleep, health concerns, and even more stress, creating a never-ending cycle. Finding ways to rest and relax is essential for your physical and mental well-being. Nature can help people unwind and destress, but getting outdoors isn’t always possible. Bring the outdoors in and turn your home into a soothing oasis with houseplants. Find out why adding houseplants to your home can help reduce anxiety.
Soothing Atmosphere
Natural environments are proven to create positive feelings and decrease negative emotions. Being surrounded by plants creates a relaxing vibe. Just a few minutes spent around plants can help people feel relaxed and at peace.
Decorating with houseplants makes a space welcoming and inviting, and even bigger. Plants add depth and texture, not to mention color and sometimes fragrant flowers. Styling your home or even just a room with houseplants makes the space comfortable and lessens worry and tension. Help the stress melt away by displaying plants in the areas of your home where you spend the most time. Living rooms, kitchens, and home offices are great rooms to decorate with houseplants.
Get Involved
Looking at houseplants can set a relaxing tone, but engaging with plants can further reduce stress. Basic care like watering, rotating the pot so each side receives even sunlight, and even repotting will help you become engaged. Caring for houseplants brings out a nurturing side and can cause a release of serotonin, creating a sense of happiness. Focusing on plant care suppresses nervousness and helps you forget about your worries.
Find the Right Houseplant
Houseplants have different levels of care, so if the goal is to reduce anxiety, select easy-care houseplants. High-maintenance houseplants can reduce feelings of stress for people who are really interested in the hobby, but fussy plants can end up causing stress for a novice plant owner. When in doubt, choose a low-maintenance houseplant, like pothos, spider plants, or snake plants. All of these plants are adaptable and undemanding, so you can get the anxiety-reducing benefits of houseplants without the plant adding to your stress.
Evaluate your space and select a plant that fits the conditions available. It can be tempting to shop for plants based on their appearance but shop for plants based on their care needs and what your home can provide. A houseplant that needs bright indirect light will fail in medium light, and humidity-loving plants will not do well in a dry environment. You can always adapt a space to fit a plant’s needs by adding grow lights or a humidifier, but keep things simple, especially if you are new to houseplants.
Unwind with Plants
Adding houseplants to your space will not eliminate the stressors in your life, but plants can help you manage and reduce stress and anxiety. Caring for houseplants is a low-key way to relax and transform your home into a restful and relaxing space. Pick up some easy-care houseplants and prioritize your mental health.
