We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Promoting adult health: the neurophysiological benefits of watering plants and engaging in mental tasks within designed environments.
- Authors
Hassan, Ahmad; Deshun, Zhang
- Abstract
Background: Indoor, sedentary lifestyles have disconnected individuals from nature, necessitating interventions to reestablish this bond. Performing horticultural activities, such as watering houseplants, offers a potential solution. This study sought to determine how participating in horticulture activities affected adults' cognitive and emotional moods. Methods: We compared the benefits of watering houseplants (a gardening task) to those of standing while performing a computer task (a mental task). Chinese participants, aged 20 to 21 years, were recruited; their physiological and psychological reactions were measured using electroencephalograms, blood pressure assessments, and psychological assessments. Results: Fifty participants were included. Watering indoor plants significantly reduced blood pressure, without affecting pulse rate. During the plant watering task as opposed to the mental activity, more dramatic different patterns of very high alpha and beta brainwave activity were identified. Participants reported increased happiness following gardening activities. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the substantial relaxation benefits, both mental and physical, associated with the simple act of watering indoor plants.
- Subjects
PLANT-water relationships; AQUATIC plants; HOUSE plants; CHINESE people; BLOOD pressure
- Publication
BMC Psychology, 2023, Vol 11, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2050-7283
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/s40359-023-01362-5