Scientific research shows indoor plants reduce stress.

1st October 2013

A three year study conducted by Professor Margaret Burchett at The University of Sydney (UTS), shows large stress reductions in staff that had one or more plants in their office. Medical research shows that stress reduces productivity and performance and leads to illness, so any reduction that can be made to stress levels of employees will save companies money.

The UTS laboratory found that indoor plant presence resulted in significant reductions (from 30% - 60%) among staff surveyed in feelings of hostility, anger, anxiety, depression and confusion, and an increase in feelings of vigour and/or enthusiasm.

Significant reductions in negative mood scores occurred after plants were placed in staff offices.

However negativity scores increased by 30% in the 'no-plants' (RO) control group.

 

 

Staff with one or more plants in their offices  showed reductions in:

• Anxiety -37%
• Anger -44%
• Depression -58%
• Fatigue -38%
• Confusion -30%
• Overall Negativity -65%
• Overall Stress -50% 

No-plant (Control group) showed the opposite trend:

• Increased Negativity +(20-40)%

 

 

 

posted in Research