Comparative analysis shows that watering plants significantly reduces blood pressure and anxiety in college students, highlighting nature-based interventions.
This study investigates the effectiveness of watering indoor plants as a stress-reduction strategy compared to engaging in computer tasks among college students. Participants randomly assigned to one of two groups each performed their respective activities for 15 min. A comprehensive evaluation included measures of blood pressure, electroencephalography, the semantic differential method and the state-trait anxiety inventory to assess emotional and physiological responses. Results revealed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, while electroencephalography data showed neural patterns associated with a more relaxed cognitive state. Participants in the plant-watering group also exhibited higher meditation scores, reinforcing the stress-relieving potential of this intervention. Psychological data indicated that those in the plant-watering group reported greater relaxation, comfort and perceived connection to nature, as well as lower anxiety scores, compared to the computer task group. These findings highlight the benefits of nature-based activities in reducing stress and promoting well-being in academic and work environments.
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Huang et al. (2025) studied this question.
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