Self-Care Catalog
Cultivate a Plant
Research suggests that activities like transferring an indoor plant to a new pot can relax the body and reduce stress, compared to a computer task.
Source: Lee, M.-S. et al. (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.

Develop Your Green Thumb

By Josey Murray
Reviewed by Susan Ko, Ph.D.
December 31, 2023

Taking care of your plants helps you take care of yourself. A large body of research supports nature’s ability to reduce stress and, ultimately, improve our health. But too often, getting outside is harder than expected. Although many of us can’t always spend a lot of time outdoors during the day because of work or other issues, indoor plants can offer a relaxing oasis inside our homes.

In one study, researchers had one group of participants move an indoor plant to a new pot and another complete a computer task; then they switched. When participants performed the gardening task, they reported feeling more relaxed.

Taking a brief break from work or your other obligations to water your plants, move them to a new spot in the house, or even transfer them to a new pot you just bought is an easy form of self-care—not to mention your plants will love it, too.