You probably pass by them every day without so much as a second thought. After all, houseplants aren’t like house pets. You can’t play with them. They don’t cuddle
5 with you on the couch while you bingeTV shows. But make no mistake; your plants are showing you love each and everyday.
There are a lot of benefits to keeping plants in your home. Studies have found that having houseplants can actually reduce stress. The simple act of pottinga plant, for example, was shown to reduce the stress response of participants. They can also increase your attention span. In another study, people were asked to study in a room with a real plant, a fake plant, a photo of a plant, or no plant at all. Believe it or not, those who studied with the real plants showed higher levels of concentration.
Plants can be real-life therapists, too. Doctors in the UK “prescribe” potted plants to people suffering from depression or anxiety to increase their well- being. Another study found that people recovering from surgery needed less recovery time if they were around plants. So, if you want to live a healthier, happier life, bring the garden indoors!
