Canadian seniors have never looked forward to spring as much as they have this year. The vaccine roll-out against COVID-19 is one big reason. The sun, warmer temperatures and returning to a beloved hobby—gardening—are other reasons to celebrate.
Researchers studying the benefits of gardening have shown that reduced stress levels, higher productivity, and lowered risk of dementia are not limited to those digging in their backyard; indoor gardeners enjoy many of the same wonderful cognitive, physical, social and emotional advantages—and they get to enjoy their hobby all year round.* During this past year, as people spent more times indoors, indoor gardening has become more popular than ever.* It’s no wonder: even as we anticipate getting outside more, for those who don’t have a garden, have mobility challenges, or simply want to fill even a small space with lovely green things,
Here are five reasons why now is the perfect time to start an indoor garden:
1. Plants make you feel better
A recent global study of 4,200 people found that almost three-quarters of them self-reported that having houseplants boosted their emotional well-being during pandemic lockdowns.*
2. Plants give you a sense of purpose
Like caring for another person or a pet, nurturing plants adds meaningful purpose to our lives, adding to our sense of self-worth, confidence and even longevity. Seniors in particular who have been caregivers all their lives enjoy the satisfaction of nurturing a living thing.*
3. Caring for plants is calming
This has been a stressful time, and activities such as watering, planting and pruning are calming activities that force us to live in the moment, psychologists say.* Research has shown that both indoor and outdoor gardening have always been associated with reduced stress levels, making them especially good activities right now.*
4. Indoor gardening is a healthy distraction
The pandemic has prompted many people to take up new hobbies, such as baking, doing jigsaw puzzles, and going for long walks. Growing succulents on a sunny windowsill or starting an herb garden from seeds are pastimes that require focus, learning, and time to master. Filling our days with meaningful, structured activities helps make the hours pass more enjoyably, with less time spent on thinking about the activities that we still can’t do yet.
5. Plants are simply beautiful!
Who hasn’t admired a gorgeous green fountain of a spider plant, or been amazed to see an orchid bloom? Scientists have found that even looking at a photo of plants or a nature landscape delivers similar health benefits to actually tending a garden or being outdoors.* We are hard-wired to be connected to the natural world, so why wouldn’t we enjoy looking at beautiful plants? They add life, colour and joy to all our indoor spaces.
Chartwell offers numerous active living opportunities in our retirement residences, including gardening activities that take place out of doors or in indoor greenhouses and multipurpose rooms. Visit chartwell.com today to learn more.
*The following source provided a reference for this blog:
1. Washington State University, Virginia I. Lohr for the Acta Horticulturae Series. “What are the benefits of plants indoors and why do we respond positively to them?” (2010), online: https://public.wsu.edu/~lohr/pub/2010LohrBenefitsPltsIndoors.pdf
2. ctvnews.ca. “Why gardening and indoor plants are growing in popularity.” (Feb. 29, 2021), online: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/why-gardening-and-indoor-plants-are-growing-in-popularity-1.5302135
3. communitypsychiatry.com. “Going green during COVID-19: What houseplants can do for your lockdown health.” (Jan. 27, 2021): online: https://www.communitypsychiatry.com/going-green-during-covid-19-what-houseplants-can-do-for-your-lockdown-health/
4. jamanetwork.com. “Association between purpose in life and objective measures of physical function in older adults.” (2017), online: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2648692
5. communitypsychiatry.com. “Going green during COVID-19: What houseplants can do for your lockdown health.” (Jan. 27, 2021): online: https://www.communitypsychiatry.com/going-green-during-covid-19-what-houseplants-can-do-for-your-lockdown-health/
6. Washington State University, Virginia I. Lohr for the Acta Horticulturae Series. “What are the benefits of plants indoors and why do we respond positively to them?” (2010), online: https://public.wsu.edu/~lohr/pub/2010LohrBenefitsPltsIndoors.pdf
7. communitypsychiatry.com. “Going green during COVID-19: What houseplants can do for your lockdown health.” (Jan. 27, 2021): online: https://www.communitypsychiatry.com/going-green-during-covid-19-what-houseplants-can-do-for-your-lockdown-health/