Get a Houseplant for More Control Over Your Life
Over the course of almost a year, almost every aspect of our lives has been changed by things beyond our control (mainly the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath). While the availability of several effective vaccines is certainly cause for optimism, this does not mean that it will all end in the near future. We still don’t know how long it will take before things are back on track, making it difficult to plan for activities that we enjoy (such as travel) and that give us what we look forward to.
Surviving a pandemic meant going with the flow for months. But not in a fun way – like when you don’t have a specific vacation schedule and decide to chill out and see where the day takes you. This is clearly an uninteresting way where every part of your life needs to be flexible, because for most things, planning ahead is not an option. The good news is there is one little thing that can help: getting a houseplant. This is why it might make you feel a little better right now.
Using plants to control our need for control
In an article for MindBodyGreen, Eliza Sullivan spoke with environmental expert and zero waste activist Lauren Singer about why having a houseplant can help us feel more grounded in these uncertain times. In fact, according to Singer , there are four reasons:
- Observing plant growth throughout the year can help us better understand the passage of time, especially when every day feels the same.
- Caring for a plant means adhering to at least some kind of routine (again, at a time when many people no longer have it).
- It can also be a type of mindfulness. Singer says having plants to look after “teaches me to focus on my surroundings and be present because they are completely dependent on me.”
- Taking responsibility for another living being – even a plant – can give us a sense of purpose.
So if you’ve been on the verge of buying this leafy houseplant, consider it an investment in your mental health (as well as your decor).