Thread by @ClaireBerlinski

I discovered something that may be useful to humanity.

I've been in lockdown in my apartment for weeks, which of course this is not ideal for one's mood--still less when the days are short and overcast and the apartment is tiny.

But a small change has made me so much happier.

Plants.

I'm not kidding. I ordered a bunch of houseplants hung them on my walls. I'm astonished how much this has improved my mood.

I'm not sure why: maybe because they're alive?

Maybe because they improve the air quality and smell nice?

The improvement in my mood has been *dramatic* since my little green buddies arrived. On a scale of 1-10, I'd say the improvement represents two full points. Seriously.

I would not have predicted this. (I thought they'd cheer me up a bit, that's why I ordered them. But I didn't think they'd beat exercise or drugs for mood improvement--that's nuts, right?)

So ... if you're depressed, anxious, gloomy, and suffering from acute cabin fever,

(and who isn't, these days?) Why not give plants a try?

They're cheap if you order them in bulk from a nursery, and they certainly won't do you any harm.

I'm really curious to know if anyone else finds they do a *lot* more good than they expected.

Has anyone done any research into this? Plant therapy for mood disorders, especially during the pandemic?

Someone should.