With the page turned over to 2020, office-workers worldwide must bear down again and do even better than ever before. If you did really well in last year, that just raises expectations for a similar improvement over the next 12 months. Naturally stress levels rise and performance drops off into a downward spiral. But, no worries, a solution is at hand: Simply pick up a small plant, preferably fool-proof such as these fine fifteen recommended by House Beautiful. Then, per a study by Japanese scientists*, whenever you feel worn down, take a 3 minute break to gaze at your plant and, when needed, care for it. Based on the results from experiments on over 60 participants, you will become more relaxed (as measured by pulse rate) and relieved of anxiety (based on scoring).

“Nature can serve as an antidote to over-stimulation or “attention fatigue,” as well as boost cognitive performance.”

Cory Steig, Health and Wellness Reporter, Make It, CNBC, 3/3/20, “This 3-minute, $3 habit could lower your stress and anxiety at work”.

It works for me. In any case, happy New Year! Don’t let the stress get to you.

* Toyoda, et al, “Potential of a Small Indoor Plant on the Desk for Reducing Office Workers’ Stress”, 12/19/19, HortTechnology.