
How Your Environment Can Transform Your Health
As an Austin, TX physical therapist, I spend much of my day helping people rediscover comfort and mobility in their bodies. But what if I told you that part of your health journey could start not with exercise or stretches, but with a simple shift in your environment? Specifically, with houseplants.I recently read an article from the New York Times that focused on how plants can improve your health, so I wanted to share some insights from that article along with my own:
Plants are more than just décor. They can profoundly impact your well-being, which directly ties into your overall health and quality of life. Let’s dive into how and why houseplants — and the spaces you live and work in — are key to your physical and mental health.
The Power of Nature Indoors
You’ve likely experienced the rejuvenating effects of being outside in nature. Studies consistently show that time spent outdoors improves mood, focus, and mental health. But the reality is, most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors, often in environments far removed from natural greenery.
Bringing elements of nature into your living or working spaces can create powerful health benefits:
- Lower Stress and Blood Pressure: Simply looking at greenery indoors has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Even if you are not an outdoorsy person, human history shows that our ancestors were outdoors people and that still lives inside of us.
- Improved Mental Clarity: Plants can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, helping you think more clearly and stay focused throughout the day. This goes beyond just looking at green plants and enjoying their colors — plants require care which can be relaxing and help you step away from all the screens.
- Faster Healing: Patients in hospital rooms with plants recover more quickly and report less pain and anxiety compared to those in plant-free spaces. Imagine a white, sterile room. That feels pretty unfriendly, but adding plants adds life to the space!
It’s no surprise, then, that filling your spaces with plants can help set the tone for a healthier, happier lifestyle.
Get Started with Beginner-Friendly Plants
If you’re new to indoor gardening, don’t let intimidation hold you back. Some plants are practically foolproof and perfect for beginners. Start with these three favorites:
- Pothos: Known for its resilience and adaptability, this plant thrives in a variety of light conditions and is nearly impossible to kill.
- ZZ Plant: This plant requires minimal watering and still adds lush greenery to your space.
- Snake Plant: Hardy and elegant, it improves air quality and can tolerate occasional neglect.
- African Violets: With beautiful flowers and soft leaves, these are another popular choice as they can thrive in indirect sunlight — the bonus with these is they are pet friendly!

A Physical Therapist’s Perspective On Why Your Environment Matters
Physical therapists often work with patients dealing with pain and limited mobility. Many times, these issues are compounded by environments that aren’t conducive to healing or activity. A cluttered, sterile, or chaotic space can negatively impact your stress levels, sleep quality, and even your motivation to move.
Houseplants can change this. They invite calm, color, and a sense of life into a space. When your surroundings feel nurturing, you’re more likely to engage in healthy behaviors like exercising, stretching, and even adhering to treatment plans.
As mentioned above, houseplants also require care. Yes, we are talking about live plants and not fake ones. Although fake ones add color (or even pictures of fake ones), they have not been found to have the same effect on people’s health. The care of the plants themselves also plays into your physical health. It requires you to get up, walk, and move. Movement is good for your body!
In fact, it’s a great idea to have several house plants in different locations so that way you know you will walk around the house or office space to stretch your legs away from screens.
Houseplants and Your Physical Health
You may wonder: Can a simple plant really influence physical health? Surprisingly, yes!
Boosting Your Microbiome
Touching soil connects you with beneficial microbes that strengthen your immune system. Repotting plants or simply handling their leaves might have a similar effect. Take off those gloves and get your hands dirty for a boost to your microbiome!
Enhancing Air Quality
Plants like peace lilies and spider plants are natural air purifiers, removing toxins and improving indoor air quality. Breathing cleaner air reduces respiratory strain and supports overall health.
Transform Your Space into a Healing Oasis
As someone passionate about mobility and well-being, I often recommend small environmental tweaks to my patients:
- Place Plants Strategically: Add a few plants to your workspace. You’ll find they make you happier and even more productive. Studies have shown that workers in spaces with plants experience less stress and higher job satisfaction.
- Use Plants as Physical Cues: Watering your plants can serve as a gentle reminder to hydrate yourself. Position plants near your yoga mat or resistance bands to encourage daily movement.
- Embrace the Meditative Ritual: Use plant care as a moment to check in with yourself. Am I drinking enough water? Have I stretched today? Treat this quiet time as self-care.
Bringing It All Together With Movement, Recovery, and Growth
The benefits of houseplants align beautifully with many principles of physical therapy. Here are just a few ways to tie them together for your health:
Recovery from Pain or Injury
Your environment plays a huge role in your recovery. A calming space that includes plants can make therapeutic exercises feel less like a chore and more like a rejuvenating ritual.
Encouraging Daily Activity
Even small amounts of movement can lower mortality rates and improve health, as recent studies show. By surrounding yourself with nature, you’re more likely to stay inspired to climb stairs, walk outside, or complete your prescribed physical therapy exercises.
Combating Sedentary Habits
Many people spend long hours at desks, which can lead to back pain and tight muscles. Placing plants at your desk might encourage you to take stretching breaks or adjust your posture.
Aiding In Memory Exercises
Just like any living thing, plants like a schedule. Watering at the same time of day is great. However, other factors come into play: how much sunlight was there today? Was it cold or hot out? Do you have a fan blowing directly on your plants or a heater nearby? Every day is different. Caring for plants can actually help you do some mental exercises for your memory because you need to remember to check them each day and be prepared to give them whatever is necessary from water to plant food — which means you need to remember whether or not you watered or fed the plants the day before!

How to Start Building a Healthier Space
If you’re looking for a place to start, here’s a quick plan to create your indoor oasis:
- Choose Three Plants: Pick one each for your workspace, bedroom, and living area. Consider air-purifying plants for bedrooms, like snake plants, to support restful sleep. If you have pets (especially ones that can climb like cats), pick plants that are pet friendly in case they come into contact with them.
- Incorporate Aromatics: Herbs like rosemary or lavender can add a calming scent while being functional for cooking. Again, if you are a pet owner, remember that just because herbs are good for humans does not mean they are all pet friendly!
- Create a Movement Zone: Place a mat, foam roller, or resistance bands near your plants. This dedicated area encourages regular use. Or, if you have a walking pad at work, you can place plants around there too.
More Than Just Plants and Building the Ideal Healing Space
Plants are just one part of the puzzle. A great healing environment includes:
- Natural Light: Maximize windows or use daylight-mimicking bulbs.
- Comfortable Furniture: Supportive seating helps reduce strain on your back and neck.
- Calming Elements: Soft music, a white noise machine, or even a small fountain can amplify the relaxing atmosphere.
- Regular Movement: Even if you only have five minutes to get up and walk around, you should incorporate that into your routine to keep your body moving and joints lubricated.
Your space is more than just where you live — it’s where your body heals, moves, and grows stronger. Adding plants to your daily environment is a simple yet powerful way to support your physical and mental well-being.
If pain or mobility issues are keeping you from fully enjoying your home or routine, physical therapy can offer solutions tailored to your needs.
Why not schedule a free consultation to learn how to make your environment — and your health — the best they can be?
Take the first step toward feeling better. Your body and your plants will thank you!
Schedule a FREE discovery session with Move Empower Concierge Physical Therapy today. One of our physical therapists will assess what is causing you pain and put together a custom treatment plan just for you!