With the Philippines turning on a more urbanized approach as the economy grows, many turn to plants as a source of relaxation. For one, gardening has become a popular form of stress relief, with some owners even talking to their greeneries.
But does this seemingly innocent, yet quirky habit benefit mental health? Studies suggest that interacting with plants, including talking to them, can have positive psychological advantages.
Nature’s Relationship with Emotional Well-Being
Spending time in nature is scientifically linked to improving mental health. Science Daily reported that exposure to green areas can help reduce stress, ease anxiety and depression, and enhance overall mood.
Growing indoor plants can help people relax after a rough day of work, traffic, and pollution. Aside from aesthetics that give color to homes, indoor plants improve air quality, which in turn contributes to better physical health and the feeling of peace and tranquility.
Can Talking to Plants Really Help?
It may sound strange, but scientists have studied this phenomenon for years. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the United Kingdom said that plants may react to sound vibrations, including human voice. Further studies revealed that plants exposed to recorded human speech grew faster than those in silence. Interestingly, they also discovered that plants responded more to female voices.
Although plants may not literally “hear,” they can detect vibrations produced by sound waves, which can stimulate plant growth. Talking to plants also has therapeutic benefits for the speaker, as well. Much like journaling or talking to pets, talking to plants lets people express their emotions. This can be helpful for people who are experiencing stress or lonely.
A Constant Partner
City dwellers will find growing plants helpful, especially when they’re living alone in a big city. Gardening, for example, cultivates mindfulness, encouraging the individual to be fully present in the moment.
Activities such as watering, pruning, and tracking their growth require patience and focus, much like a natural form of meditation that can clear thoughts and relaxation.
The Journal of Physiological Anthropology also published a study that interacting with indoor plants can help in reducing cortisol levels, the hormone that causes stress. It added that taking care of plants engages the senses, thereby diverting the mind from unpleasant thoughts.
This is a perfect example during the pandemic when “plantitos” and “plantitas” surged to battle depression amid lockdowns and social distancing. Tendering to plants gave Filipinos a worthwhile diversion while waiting for regulations and health-related restrictions to ease.
While plants may not listen in the way humans do, talking to them can be a soothing activity. Scientific evidence supports this theory that spending time with plants lowers stress levels, fosters awareness, and enhances mental health.
Filipinos can take advantage of this as a therapeutic touch to their daily life. As they go through their daily adventure, a little green and a touch of nature will go a long way.
