Office stress can get to the best of us. Workplace politics, unrealistic deadlines, nagging boss, poor appraisals, poor work-life balance, all can make our lives super toxic at workplace.
So is there something we can do? Well, if a recent report is to be believed, keep desktop plants on your desk.
A recent study conducted by the University of Hyogo, Awaji, found that keeping potted plants next to your desk can help in cutting down work related stress.
The researchers of the study explored the practical use of indoor plants to boost mental health among employees, typically the ones who are removed from exposure to the healthy green environment. The findings were published in the HortTechnology by the American Society for Horticultural Science.
The researchers felt that a lot of office goers underestimate the importance of green recovery that plants can provide. They conducted the experiment on 63 workers in Japan and observed their psychological and physiological changes. They showed both passive and active involvement with plants.
The whole point of the study, according to an ANI report, was to verify the stress-reducing effect of gazing intentionally at a plant in a real office setting when a worker felt fatigued during office hours.
The researchers concluded with their study that placing small plants within close sight contributed to psychological stress reduction across the board.
This is not a first of its kind study. Several studies have focused on building the link between green spaces and reduced stress levels. In fact a 2008 study had proved its impact on enhanced psychological recovery.
Write to us in the comments section below if you also feel that keeping desktop plants contributes towards reducing work stress.
