My brain loves plants & so will yours

I admit it: I’m a bit of a plant fiend.

My love of plants started 6 years ago, shortly after my brain surgery and stint in psychiatric hospital (joyous times). I commend my incredible friend Helen for my introduction to plants - who upon discharge suggested that I get plants to make my new home more welcoming.

So I popped to the supermarket, picked up 3 tiny cacti and placed them on the windowsill. I’d never had any cacti before, but I just fed them a little water every week and very slowly they grew. 

I recognised that I was chilling with the plants pretty soon after purchasing the initial 3. I didn’t understand quite why though. Was it the few tiny extra molecules of O2 provided by them? Was it their tiny absorption of my CO2? Was it my inner-chimp1 enjoying it?

Plants were improving my mood, no question.

There have been numerous studies proving that plants are good for our mental health. Accept it or not, empirical evidence proves that they are!

“… exposure to greenspace reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure.” - Dr Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett

Another study:

“One-way ANCOVA revealed that allotment gardeners had a significantly better self-esteem, total mood disturbance and general health…experiencing less depression and fatigue and more vigour…” - Carly J. Wood, Jules Pretty, Murray Griffin

There’s even been studies proving that hospital patients “…had better tolerance for pain with than without plants present”!

I don’t even have an outdoor garden – instead I’ve adopted many plants which are on the windowsills, the balcony, in the living room and on my desk where I’m typing right now! You don’t need a garden to have plants!

Since that initial day my plant collection has grown, slowly and pretty steadily. I sometimes call it: “The Garden of Heathrow” (there are so many plants from all over the world that it reminds me of Heathrow airport!).

Plants help me relax, smile (I see them grow, flourish, and they never talk back to me!) and are consequently great for my mental health AND consequently reduce my likelihood of having a seizure. 

I am a biophiliac for sure. We must value plants and nature – even if only for our own benefit.

PS I kid you not: the initial 3 cacti are still here today, 6 years later, and are the big-boys/girls of the windowsill.