Plants Make People Happy!

They sure do!

I was out and about one day and I came across this display at a grocery store. I passed it by, but it lingered in my head because plants do make me happy. I turned around, went back to the display and took this picture of it. I love the message “Plants make people happy!”.

We all know that giving and receiving plants, especially flowers, brings a certain joy and peace to our mindset.

That is why flowers are given on so many occassions:

Valentine’s Day – of course roses are the preferred flower.
Birthdays – flowers send a clear message that their happiness and well-being matter to you.
Anniversaries – a boutique of flowers is an amorous and romantic gesture.
Graduations – it is a thoughtful way to say congratulations.
Funerals – this has been going on for over 62,000 years according to archaeological findings.
And just anytime because you want too!

“A beautiful plant is like having a friend around the house”

Beth Ditto

Why Plants?

Why is it that plants bring us happiness?

Well, first off, we are surrounded by plants so we have to be able to live with them, like them and have a connection to them. If you don’t, you are in trouble.

This connection, or innate attraction to nature, is called biophilia. This term was coined by biologist E.O. Wilson. The desire to have house plants, trees along boulevards, a plant on an office desk, etc. stems from this natural desire.

And we can’t forget all the things that plants provide to us: shelter, food, medicine, oxygen and more. So why wouldn’t plants make us happy?

Let’s take a little bit deeper look at the many ways plants make us happy.

1. Connection to Nature

Studies have shown that being in and around nature makes us happier. One study has shown that nature walks are great for everyone and help to rejuvenate the brain. Another study by Gregory Bratman from Stanford, showed that those who took a 90 minute walk in nature, had decreased the pattern of thinking that is associated with depression.

To learn more nature walks, check out my blog post, “The Power of a Nature Walk“.

If you can’t get out in it, bring it inside. Natural aesthetic beauty is soothing to people, and keeping ornamental flowers and plants around the home is an excellent way to lower levels of stress and anxiety. People who keep flowers in their home feel happier, less stressed, and more relaxed.

At the end of this post, I share some ideas on what plants to have around your home or office.

2. Plants Help With Relaxation

About 50% of a group of survey respondents explained that gardening helped them feel calm. I know for me gardening is very calming. Hearing the birds, watching the butterflies and sitting among the plants, yeah I could sit out there all day.

Being surrounded by plants makes people happy. According to a study conducted in hospitals around San Francisco Bay Area, 79% of the patients who took part said they felt calm, 19% claimed to have felt a sense of optimism, and 25% became stronger from spending time around plants.

Did you know...?

…the bacterium found in soil may help stimulate serotonin production, which makes you relaxed and happier. So getting your hands dirty in the soil when working with plants is beneficial two-fold.

3. Help Us Heal Faster

When we are in the hospital or not feeling well, receiving flowers and plants automatically makes us feel better. Whether it is the plant itself or the thoughtfulness from others, receiving brings a sense of peace.

Not only do plants soothe and comfort us, but they have other health benefits as well:

lowers blood pressure
reduces stress
supports the immune system
creates a positive mood
improves sleep

4. Plants Increase Our Energy

Spending time in nature gives people an increased feeling of vitality, increasing their energy levels and making them feel more animated. Being out in a natural environments helps put a positive outlook on life, making people feel more alive and active.

Our minds need to be stimulated and one of the best ways is to bring the energy of outdoors, indoors with plants.

5. Plants Help With Concentration

In a University of Michigan study, memory retention increased 20% while being around plants, positively effecting learning abilities. The effect of nature stimulates the senses and the mind which improves mental cognition and performance. Work performance is better, more accurate and of a higher quality when plants are around.

Studies have shown that surrounding yourself by plants could improve your concentration by up to 20% and increase your ability to recall information by 15-20%. Plants do this by reducing CO₂ concentration and improving air quality.

When I worked in an office setting years ago, I always had a plant on my desk. At the time, I wasn’t aware that it was helping me work better. Now I know.

The house plant pictured below kept me company for over 10 years in my office cubicle and now it hangs out in my stairwell. Still going stronge. Well, except for the war marks from being chewed on by my cat!

6. Growing and Caring For a Plant

Having plants in your house can be a small but powerful concept that freshens up your space and brings life into your living quarters. Why do people have pets? Because they bring people joy and happiness! The same is true for plants. They provide you with something to care for and offer a change of scenery in your space.

Taking the time to care for a life giving object and putting in the effort to nurture a plant, brings happiness and a sense of calm to people. Not to mention the sense of achievement and the joy that arises when a new leaf pops out or a flower appears!

Studies have shown that people who spend more time around plants are much more likely to try and help others, and often have more advanced social relationships. Spread the love!

7. Green Soothes Our Nerves

Studies have shown that muted green colors have a positive affect in our bodies. It has shorter wavelengths so our eyes don’t need to adjust to it. Also, because green is all over in the natural world, we feel centered and relaxed when surrounded by it. That in turn lowers anxiety. It also makes us feel optimistic and refreshed.

A few years ago I wrote a blog post about the color green, “It’s Not Easy Being Green, or is It?“. Give it a read, it includes a recipe for green bread, which I love!

What Plants Should I Have to Help Make Me More Happy?

There are select plants that will bring more happiness to us than others. But that should be taken individually.

For instance, there are thousands of flowers, but none can beat the happiness that a single red rose can offer.

On the other hand, a small child will pick a dandelion and say “Look Mommy! I picked you a flower!” and be so proud of his beautiful find. It’s all perspective.

If you are looking to adopt a plant and wondering where to start or just curious if your current plants are on the list, here are a few to look into.

Basil – this culinary herb helps with mood because of linalool, a compound contributing to its wonderful aroma.
English Ivy – is one of the best plants to help clean the air and help you breathe easier.
Geranium – not only is the color cheerful, but the scent helps promote a peaceful mindset.
Lavender – not surprising, as its aroma helps to bring about a sense of calmness.
Boston Fern – like ivy, this plant is excellent at filtering the air, removing up to 1863 toxins per hour!
Roses – its not only about smelling the roses, but looking at them too. One study found that people who looked at roses felt more relaxed and comfortable.
Peace Lily – help remove mold from the air, acting as an organic air purifier.
Orchids – bloom year-round, bringing you a touch of mood-enhancing color even during winter’s gloomiest days. Feng Shui practitioners love to use orchids when increasing positive energy in a room.
Rosemary – symbolizes everything from remembrance to inner peace, which might have something to do with its wonderful aroma.
Lily of the Valley – A study by garden expert David Domoney found that people overwhelmingly favored Lily of the Valley as a mood-boosting plant, mostly because they associated the fragrant blooms with happy memories.