Indoor Plant-Based Mindfulness Practice
Spending time in nature can be a calming and grounding experience for many. But what if you work long hours in an office and cannot get away? Perhaps your ever-growing plant collection could be of some assistance!
A 2015 study stated, "Our results suggest that active interaction with indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress…” “…This is accomplished through suppression of sympathetic nervous system activity and diastolic blood pressure and promotion of comfortable, soothed, and natural feelings…” (Lee, Lee, Park, &Miyazaki, 2015).
To build on the soothing interaction with your indoor plants, this writer invites you to take a break from your work in a quick plant-based mindfulness meditation from Outside In, visit https://outsideinco.com/blogs/learn/5-minute-mindfulness-practice-with-plants to read more in their in-depth article.
For a guided meditation with plants follow the link to this short YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEy7oX_x_mQ&t=14s
For even more information on some great plants and plant-based mindfulness exploration, check this great article from The Healthy: https://www.thehealthy.com/mental-health/best-house-plants-for-mental-health-psychologists/
So next time you are asked, “another plant?!” Feel confident in your scientifically-supported trip to the plant store, in the name of mental health and overall well-being!
Are you interested in learning more about mindfulness, grounding techniques, or other adaptive self-soothing tools with one of our qualified professionals?
Email info@advancedcounselingbozeman.com or visit our contact page for more information.
Christine Perkins, MSW, SWLC
Citations
Lee, M. S., Lee, J., Park, B. J., & Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: a randomized crossover study. Journal of physiological anthropology, 34(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-015-0060-8