Feeling Heartbroken and Sad? Buy a Plant.
Feeling stuck? Not feeling like yourself? Do the stressors of daily life seem bigger to you than you believe they feel to others? Did you know that horticulture therapy (or plant therapy) builds confidence, decreases depression, and increases feelings of empowerment? Since the 1950s, horticultural therapy has been widely used in a variety of settings. A large body of research has proven the benefits of plant therapy:
Improves your mood and promotes emotional growth
Improves social skills
Improves memory and cognition
Reduce stress
Plants nourish your mind, body and soul. Your body is a lot like our plant friends. You need sunlight, water, the healing presence of fresh air, and kind words in your ear. Plant therapy promotes mindfulness and reduces stress levels with intention and self-compassion. In addition, plant care provides a sense of purpose, which can significantly improve mental well-being. Folks are highly encouraged to slow down, notice, and be present when caring and interacting with plants. This mindfulness-based practice of being in the moment can decrease stress and allows you to find inner peace.
Not interested in buying a plant? A short 10-minute walk through a nursery, indoor and outdoor garden or a plant store can offer some of these benefits when we don’t have a lot of time. Walk and talk therapy helps folks get "unstuck" when confronting difficult issues. This blog post provides more information about walk and talk therapy.
