Suffer from Loneliness? Studies Indicate that Adopting a Plant as Your Child is a Blossoming Idea

Emotional Isolation Alleviated? Study Suggests Adopting Plant Life is a Blossoming Idea

In the bustling heart of New York City, a newcomer found solace in an unexpected corner. A couple of months prior, a person moved to the city for grad school, and amidst the concrete jungle, they stumbled upon a small potted evergreen tree from a Christmas stand.

Wrapped in an old burgundy scarf due to lack of a fancy pot, the tree became more than just a decorative piece. It provided a sense of vibrancy and helped the person feel less alone in their new surroundings.

Caring for plants, it seems, develops a reciprocal relationship over time. As you learn about watering cycles, feeding requirements, light preferences, temperature and humidity requirements, you find yourself being attentive and kind to them, meeting their needs.

This intimate understanding of a plant's needs is echoed by horticulturists and botanists alike. Andrew Gaumond, a renowned horticulturist and botanist, agrees that forming a relationship with plants requires just that - an understanding of their needs. Pol Bishop, another horticulturist and gardener, believes plants make people feel less lonely.

The benefits of this relationship extend beyond companionship. Plants have a positive impact on concentration, productivity, healing, and have calming effects. They can even help combat loneliness, according to a licensed therapist and social worker. Spending time around plants can ground us in rituals, which impacts our brains by stimulating the production of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.

This connection between plants and mental health is not limited to anecdotal evidence. Doctors in Manchester are prescribing potted plants to help people cope with anxiety, loneliness, and depression. A recent study found elevated levels of psychological distress and loneliness among adults across the country, and another study found nearly 25 percent of people are experiencing symptoms of depression, compared to 16 percent before the pandemic began.

Caring for plants during a pandemic can offer a healthy distraction from uncertainty and stress. For Simone M. Scully, a New York mom and journalist who writes about health, science, and parenting, this distraction has been invaluable. You can find her insights at simonescully.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

In the end, the small evergreen tree, with its burgundy scarf, became a beacon of hope and companionship in a new city. It serves as a testament to the power of plants in combating loneliness, providing a sense of vibrancy, and offering a distraction from the stresses of life.