How do plants affect postoperative recovery?

Studies have indicated that patients who have plants in their hospital room experience a variety of benefits, including reduced pain levels, decreased anxiety and fatigue, less need for pain medication, and even shorter hospital stays compared to patients without plant exposure.

Can viewing nature really help reduce the use of analgesics after surgery?

Yes, research suggests that viewing nature or having plants in a hospital room can contribute to pain reduction. This can lead to a decrease in the need for analgesics, which are medications used to combat pain, thereby aiding in a faster recovery.

What psychological benefits do plants offer to recovering surgical patients?

Plants have been shown to offer psychological benefits such as improved mood and emotional well-being. Patients with plants in their rooms often report feeling more positive and satisfied with their recovery environment, which can aid in the healing process.

Are there any specific types of plants that are particularly beneficial for patients?

While the research does not specify particular types of plants as being more beneficial, the key factor is the presence of greenery and flowers. Plants that are easy to maintain and have a pleasant appearance, such as peace lilies or ferns, are commonly used in such settings.

Is plant therapy suitable for all hospital patients?

Plant therapy can be beneficial for many patients, but it may not be appropriate for everyone, such as those who are severely immunocompromised. It's always best to consult with healthcare providers to determine the suitability of plant therapy in individual cases.

How Plants and Flowers Support Recovery, Well-Being, and Reduce Levels o...

Flowers and plants naturally bring a sense of calm and comfort, making them valued in homes, workplaces, and public spaces. Research shows that interacting with plants or even just viewing flowers can reduce blood pressure, lower stress hormones like cortisol, and promote relaxation. Everyone is well aware that having fresh flowers or greenery in your home, office, or near your hospital bed can be great for stress relief. Sending flowers to your sick or sad friend might be a universal go-to gift, but the heartwarming gesture is more helpful than you think.

The Positive Effects of Flowers and Plants

Imagine a hospital room not just filled with the beeps and clicks of machines, but also adorned with indoor plants and colorful flowers. A study from 2009 by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) discovered that the therapeutic influence of plants on surgical patients is so significant that they tend to report lower pain levels and quicker recovery.

Elder woman in hospital with flowers — *An elderly woman with the best company for her well-being: flowers*

*Photo: bloomex_canada*

A fascinating finding: plants might just be what the doctor ordered! Being around nature, even just indoor plants, can help patients recover faster after surgery.

Flowers reduce pain and stress quote

The ASHS performed a study evaluating whether plants have therapeutic influences on surgical patients, and the results are shocking. Ninety patients - all recovering from a thyroidectomy - were split into rooms either with plants or without plants, and those with some kind of foliage had wildly different results than those who had not.

When we think of surgery, it’s often with a sense of anxiety and worry. It’s not just the procedure itself that's daunting, but also the postoperative pain and the loneliness of a hospital stay. Painkillers and medications are usually the go-to for relief, but they often come with unwanted side effects. This is where our leafy and flowery friends come into play.

Flowers to brighten your day — *Flowers not only brighten your day but to release stress and soothe the mind with different colors*
*Photo: @sisters_stems*

The Science Behind Plants and Mental Well-Being

Today, science helps explain why flowers and plants are a great ally for mental wellness, pain, and stress reduction. Studies have shown that interacting with plants or simply being around flowers can reduce physical and emotional signs of stress. Research published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that simple activities like transplanting indoor plants lowered blood pressure and calmed the nervous system compared to computer tasks.

A girl with two get well soon flower arrangements — *Photo: @thebloomroom.malvern*

Even just looking at flowers makes a difference: Japan’s National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) reported that viewing flowers after stress-inducing tasks decreased cortisol and blood pressure levels, and a Frontiers in Psychology study found that seeing fresh roses for a few minutes activated the body’s relaxation response.

Longer-term benefits are also clear—people who cared for indoor plants over several weeks showed reduced stress and depression, and greater emotional resilience. Reviews from the Royal Horticultural Society and Wageningen University confirm that flowers and plants not only enhance spaces aesthetically but genuinely contribute to mental well-being and stress recovery.

A girl touching a plant in a hospital — *The relationship between touching and seeing plants with how you feel is directly related*
*Photo: @sarah.foynes*

Researchers have discovered that simply having plants in a patient's view can work wonders. They aren't just pleasant to look at; they grab our attention in a gentle way that distracts from pain and stress. This ‘attention restoration,’ as the experts call it, isn't just about giving the eyes a place to rest. It's about giving the mind a moment of peace, a break from the worries that can crowd a patient’s thoughts post-surgery.

Flowers Should Be Complementary Medicine

According to the study, those exposed to plants had lower blood pressure and heart rate, lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and more positive feelings and higher satisfaction with their rooms than the patients without foliage. The findings from this research suggest that plants and flowers should be complementary medicine for recovering patients. Now that's an idea we can get behind.

A doctor with a pothos plant — *A doctor interacting with nature and a pothos plant for indoor spaces at the hospital*
*Photo: @doc.shayann*

The Study of Therapeutic Influences of Plants in Hospital Rooms

Now, time to talk about this particular study that took a closer look. A group of women who had undergone thyroid surgery were given rooms either with or without plants. The rooms with plants not only smelled better and looked more welcoming, but the patients in these rooms felt better, too. They needed less medication and felt less pain and anxiety compared to those in plant-free rooms.

There’s a certain magic to the presence of plants. They don’t just fill a room with color and life; they seem to support our well-being by their mere presence. It’s like they’re silently cheering us on to better health. And for those who spend a lot of time indoors, particularly in hospitals, plants offer a connection to the outside world, a touch of nature's healing power right in their room.

A hospital room decorated with flowers — *Flowers uplift and calm the environment of a hospital room*
*Photo: @aiwaflowers_ae*

What does this mean for hospitals and healthcare providers? It's time to think beyond the traditional and add natural medicine to aid in physical and mental well-being. It's definitely an investment in the health and happiness of patients, potentially reducing costs for both them and the healthcare system.

For flower lovers and enthusiasts of floral artistry, this research is a nod to the power of what you hold dear. It's an affirmation that your passion for flowers and plants is about an intrinsic connection to well-being and health. So the next time you send a bouquet to a friend in the hospital, know that you’re not just sending a pretty gift, but also a powerful ally in their recovery.

Bouquets and plants can also make us feel less stressed out, according to this study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine.

A bouquet of colorful flowers — *Photo: @barndogflowerfarm*

Healing With Leaves - The Power of Plants in Recovery

Scientific studies support what many of us intuitively know: plants can have a real impact on relaxation and stress reduction. In one study, college-aged women were given a fresh vase of roses for their dorm rooms, and researchers found that the participants reported feeling significantly more relaxed and less stressed after exposure to the flowers.

In another study titled “Physiological adjustment effect of visual stimulation by fresh rose flowers on sympathetic nervous activity,” found that viewing roses for a few minutes reduced sympathetic nervous activity in participants, especially when initial stress levels were higher.

Flowers to brighten the mood — *Photo: @pop_and_bloom*

This aligns with broader research showing that both interacting with plants and simply viewing them can lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, and activate the body’s natural relaxation response. Whether it’s a single bouquet or a small indoor garden, the presence of flowers and greenery offers a simple, evidence-based way to support mental well-being and recovery.

I don't know about you, but if this info is not persuading you to go out and buy some plants, and a bouquet — or six, we don't know what will!