We tend to spend 85 per cent of our time indoors. Indoor plants not only exude a feeling of beauty and comfort but having lush flowers and foliage inside can boost umpteen health benefits. From bedrooms to the kitchen to bathrooms, there isn’t any space that a houseplant can’t breathe life into. Place them in areas where light is in abundance, and nurture them regularly to have a growing indoor oasis of your own. Indoor planting spruces up the aesthetics of your place and has strong health benefits as well. Becoming a plant mom can give you a sense of pleasure, making you healthier and happier.

Health Shots got in touch with Kamna Chhibber, a clinical psychologist, to understand various health benefits of indoor planting, here’s what she told us.

Mental health benefits of indoor planting

Here are all the mental health benefits of indoor planting you should know about:

1. Relaxes and soothes the senses

“Indoor plants can help by acting as a source of relaxation and can calm the senses,” says Chhibber.

Anyone who is suffering from mental health concerns can try indoor gardening. Horticultural therapy has proven to induce feelings of well-being among people suffering from issues like depression, anxiety, dementia, and other similar conditions.

2. May boost productivity

“By indulging in taking care of the plants enables a person to feel a sense of productivity and growth as well as having an activity to feel a sense of comfort and fulfillment,” tells the expert.

Whether you are working from home, or you operate from your office, having plants inside your working premises can boost both productivity and creativity. Alongside, it has also been observed that those offices that have incorporated more natural elements witnessed greater job satisfaction and commitment among employees.

3. Uplifts mood and promotes positivity

The presence of indoor plants can help uplift your mood. People tend to feel more positive, given the enhanced quality of the home environment. Our home is the place where we rest and recharge for another day. Our surrounding environment has a lot of impact on our general wellness. Residing in a healthy and peaceful environment can enhance our overall wellness.

4. Better indoor air quality

From paints to molds to cleaning products to mildew, many things inside our house can cause air pollution. Plants are well-known to replace carbon dioxide with fresh oxygen.

As per a 1989 NASA study, indoor potted plants also improved the air quality by eradicating cancer-causing chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene.

5. A symbiotic relationship

It’s such a beautiful bond that we share with our plants. The best thing about this sacred relationship is that it gives us a chance to show care for living things and get the same in return. We nurture and take care of our plants for their healthy growth and nourishment, and in return, they look after our health by improving the air we breathe and sprucing up the aesthetics of our indoor space. Also, plants are the epitome of life as they grow and blossom into something so eye-pleasing. Through this, they remind us through love and care, growth is inevitable.