Study shows that having a plant on your desk reduces stress

A new study reveals the profound benefits for managing office stress so that it represents having a small plant on your desk.

According to a new study conducted by researchers at Hyogo University in Awaji, Japan, Just seeing an indoor plant can reduce stress at work.

"In modern society, stress reduction in the workplace is a pressing issue," writers Masahiro Toyoda, Yuko Yokota, Marni Barnes and Midori Kaneko write in the front lines of the study.

"Although there have been many studies on the psychological and physiological effects of indoor plants, most of them have been carried out in laboratory or quasi-office environments", they clarify.

"At present, not many people fully understand and use the benefits for the recovery of stress generated by plants in the workplace," said Toyoda.

"To improve such situations, we decided that it was essential verify and provide scientific evidence of the restorative effect of plants in a real office environment. "

How>

The team decided to test stress reduction plants in 63 office workers in an electric company in Japan.

There were two phases in the investigation. First, a period of control before the plants, and then a period of intervention in which the participants could see and take care of a small plant that they chose from six options (air plants, bonsai plants, San Pedro cactus, foliage plants, kokedama, or echeveria).

Researchers recorded pulse rates and measured psychological stress using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) during both phases.

During the intervention period, the participants had the plants in their desks so that they could always see them. The researchers called this "passive participation." They were also able to take care of their plant, an "active participation".

When workers felt fatigued, They were asked to take a three-minute break and observe their plants: This intentional observation, according to the researchers, was considered an active interaction with plants that workers could make quickly and easily at their desks.

Both participations, passive and active, with the plants were applied by its contribution to the reduction of stress and fatigue.

Regardless> the "anxiety decreased significantly" from before the plants until after the intervention. Research suggests that "placing small plants in sight contributed to the reduction of psychological stress in all areas," the team notes.

"Our study indicates that having opportunities to intentionally observe nearby plants daily in the work environment may reduce psychological and physiological stress of office workers, "they added.

In addition to affirming that the presence of plants in our desks is beneficial, the authors consider that more research is needed on stress reduction methods based In nature.

What do you think of this study? Do you have plants on your desk? Have you felt positive effects with your presence? Tell us in the comments and share with your friends.

Source:

American Society for Horticultural Science