Promoting adult health: the neurophysiological benefits of watering plants and engaging in mental tasks within designed environments

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.