Most people experience difficulty in cognitive skills like attention and concentration. The research on improving their cognitive skills by plants has drawn rewarding conclusions. A study was conducted, and it focused on the number of time participants spent playing with plants. In the study, participants were asked to spend a half-hour with each plant- either alone or with others. The results showed that the individuals that spent more time playing with plants had an improvement in their cognitive skills. The study concluded that many bookshelves could be filled with the benefits of indoor gardening as a Cognitive booster.
[The author of this article also suggested wearing gardening gloves when gardening to better handle planting and watering.]Table of Contents
Cognitive skills Definition?
A person’s cognitive skill is typically the sum of all the knowledge that they have. This includes things like knowing how to read, write, and speak, calculating numbers in your head, remembering people’s names—there are many different aspects to an individual’s cognitive skill set. Children need to exercise this skill, which can often be accomplished through the study of math and science, and by reading books. However, research has shown that an indoor plant is a great way to enhance your cognitive skills.
Cognitive skills are believed to be an individual’s ability to retain knowledge, as well as a person’s ability to learn new things. Typically, the more a person knows about a subject, the better they are able to retain new knowledge on that topic. For example, if you have studied basic algebra and geometry in math class, then you will usually be able to retain information regarding advanced arithmetic and geometry.
Cognitive Skills Examples
Some of the Cognitive skills examples are here from varying domains:-
Mathematics
- Knowing how to count
- Ordering numbers in ascending order for two digits or less
- Ordering numbers by magnitude for three digits or less
- Identifying a number that is a multiple of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
- Identifying a number that is a multiple of 9 and 10
- Identifying a number that is a multiple of 11, 12 and 13
- Recognizing that 1+1=2; and 1\2=1 or Variables
- Recognizing that it’s not 2-3, 2x+3=10, etc.
Health And Fitness
- Calculating calories burned during different exercises.
- Calculating metabolic rate.
- Understanding how much exercise is needed to burn fat.-
- Being able to calculate distance traveled, speed/distance traveled, time spent in a certain activity.
- Understanding how much exercise is needed to burn fat.-
- Catching up on sleep or getting enough rest.
Sports
- Understanding how to make a decision in sports, especially if you are not the best player.
- Understanding what “elbow drop” means.
- Knowing the technique to deliver a free throw.
- Knowing an easy way to win a game of tennis, basketball or golf.
- Scoring a basket when the team’s up by 10 points
- Winning the World Series with two outs and two strikes
Social Life
Making new friends while at camp for two weeks.
Having friends over on your birthday
Charitable events
Cooking for the homeless on Thanksgiving Day
Volunteering at an animal shelter every other Saturday night
These are some of the cognitive skills examples to share.
What are Cognitive functions?
Cognitive functions are the cognitive skills on the aforementioned list.
How is cognitive skills development happening?
Your cognitive skills develop as you experience different things. For example, if you read books for a long period of time, your brain will learn how to retain information better. If you listen to music or learn how to speak using a certain language, your cognitive skills will improve.
What are some of the benefits of cognitive skills?
Cognitive skills are important for personal development. Many people need to enhance their cognitive skills to make sense out of the world around them and this is true for children as well as adults. Cognitive abilities help to understand the meaning behind actions, emotions, gestures and much more. Children who have a higher involvement in activities like gardening have better cognitive skills overall. The main benefit of this type of activity is that it inspires children to take over responsibility and better cognitive functioning. They’ll be more likely to care about the condition of their plants as well as get involved with various other activities. Gardening can also help children to explore and understand the world around them.
This includes understanding how plants are made and why certain plants require certain conditions in order to grow. For example, ferns need high humidity areas in order for them to grow properly. As a result, if you are gardening with a child, they could learn about why ferns need areas of high humidity because of where they originate.
How do cognitive skills help to improve our lives?
Cognitive skills are important because they affect how we view the world as well as our environment. However, these skills are often overlooked because they are not realized as being important. For example, an artist trying to create a masterpiece may need to have increased cognitive skills in order to understand the meaning of what they are creating. Unfortunately, many people believe that their abilities or skills in one area or another cannot be improved. However, this is far from the truth. Cognitive skills are constructive as they help one to understand the world around them which in turn allows them to make sense of their surroundings.
What is the effect of indoor plants on cognitive skills?
Indoor Plants have been shown to improve cognitive skills, such as memory and concentration. This is because plants require more attention in order for them to flourish. For example, a few sprouts don’t need much attention, but many plants require more attention from their caretaker in order for them to grow properly. This creates a sense of reward.
There is a well-developed theory in this regard called Attention Restoration Theory
(ART), that means exposure to natural environments can restore attentional capabilities. (Kaplan, 1995). ART suggests that indoor environments often lack the complex sensory stimulation of the natural environment. For example, in some cases, there is no wind to ripple through the leaves or sunlight to shine down onto the branches. In another case, we are not exposed to the sound of birds chirping that is present in nature.
These conditions can lead to reduced attentional capabilities, therefore it can be helpful for people who have been exposed to them or might expect them. This is because exposure can restore attentional capabilities like being drawn back into an exam after a break and having your mind restored after asleep.
Indoor plants contain many phytochemicals, which have a positive effect on your cognitive skills. Research has shown that indoor plants may help to improve blood flow, support the immune system, and have been known to reduce symptoms of mental disorders. Studies have found that some plants are useful in reducing mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
Study has shown that green plants can reduce stress and improve the mood of the people who are around them. When people are exposed to nature, they tend to live longer, feel better, and have a reduction in their stress. The natural environment has been shown to be an important element in human health and well-being. People who spend time in nature are happier, more satisfied and even healthier!
The positive effects of plants on cognitive abilities are also related to their biological functions. For example, they filter the air in a room which is beneficial for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma. And, lastly, plants have photosynthetic light-making capabilities which can positively affect brain function in sensitive circumstances such as Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Research also shows that there is a link between indoor plants and mental health. There is an increase in the risk of mental disorders among people who do not have access to green, living, healthy plants and trees. Indoors, the house air can be polluted with unnecessary chemicals that cause foggy-brained and depressed states of mind. These chemicals are found in air conditioners, furniture or built-in products that produce way too much heat.
Studies found that people who would spend more time indoors had a higher incidence of mental disorders and many scientists agree that indoor plants play a vital role in human health.
Indoor gardening tips to enhance your cognitive skills and mood.
- Keep your green indoor garden organized.
- Plan your garden layout.
- Prepare a kitchen calendar with the daily watering schedule. • Design and print out plant tags, labels, or stamps that will coordinate with your kitchen.
- Enlist the help of family, friends, and neighbors to clean up garden waste.
- Recycle old pots, soil, and flower stems.
- Properly dispose of old plant waste.
- Keep your indoor plants in an area where they will receive plenty of natural light, but no direct sunlight.
- Partake in indoor gardening as a hobby or interest with family and friends.
It’s fun to show your indoor garden off to other people!
You can also spend time talking about plants, their life cycles, and the different gardening techniques. - If you have a green thumb, (A green thumb is a term used to describe someone who has an innate ability to grow plants and flowers. A person with a ‘green thumb’ often has the skills and knowledge of how to take care of them.) start growing your own flowers and herbs indoors!
Make sure that you know how to properly care for indoor plants.
This will allow you to better exhibit your green thumb skills and enhance your cognitive skills.
Benefits of Plants in your pet’s brain
The benefits of plants on your pets are also related to their biological functions. For example, it has been found that plants can influence the behavior of your pets. Plants enable your pets to feel more secure and comfortable. For example, they can reduce anxiety in both cats and dogs when they are out of their homes. So, if you can make green indoors, that also has the same anxiety-reducing effect on your pets.
Some indoor plants are especially good for their moods. For example, the mint family of plants, such as ‘Oregano’, has been found to relieve anxiety in dogs and cats. Different species of houseplants also have different health benefits for your pets that may include improving their digestion, preventing infections in their mouth and throat., improving skin conditions such as dry skin, and improving good bacteria in the gut.
The benefits of plants for pets are also related to their biological functions. For example, many houseplants support the immune system, which enables your pet to remain healthy.
What are the different methods of indoor plantations?
Different methods of indoor planting like Hydroponics, Aeroponics, and Aquaponics have been recently introduced in some areas of the world and found to be effective in controlling pests and diseases, such as fungi or viruses. Vegetables, fish, and microorganisms can be raised for their medicinal use while the process of growing plants is made easy. The results are so stunning that no one can ignore the benefit of this method of farming. This method has been used from time immemorial but it is being practiced these days because it conserves water, saves costs, and allows us to grow our own food all year round.
Hydroponics is the mechanical process of growing plants in water. It uses nutrient solutions to encourage plant growth. The nutrients are contained in either a re-circulating system or a drip-feed system. In both systems, there is a constant supply of nutrient solutions to the plant roots, even while they are growing. Since all of the nutrients and water are contained in one system, it is easy to control and maintain. This method of indoor gardening is generally used for plants that can grow in water.
Aeroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil. The roots receive their food from the air, and the nutrient solution is sprayed onto the roots. The plant roots are placed into a tray which is kept in a closed chamber, with sprayers spraying constantly onto the root system. This maintains all necessary nutrients needed for healthy plant growth.
Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaculture is the practice of growing aquatic animals such as fish in tanks, usually for food. Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in water without soil. Combining these two methods can help to grow plants that need an adequate supply of water, nutrients, and sunlight, while at the same time maintaining a healthy fish population
You can keep them flourish in Raised Garden Beds also, which are available in plenty. Besides, you can also keep them in the best indoor plants pots which keep your plants with many advantages.
What are the best plants to experiment with, in indoor gardening which will help to improve cognitive skills?
The best proven indoor plants that can help with mood and cognition are sprouted beans. These legumes will give off an oxygen-rich air supply thanks to their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. They are also popular because they require very little attention from their caretakers which allows them to grow without much issue. The benefits of planting these beans will be seen in cognitive abilities such as concentration, creativity, and memory as well as emotional states like happiness by providing a sense of satisfaction that is not usually provided when focusing on a demanding task. another plant that can enhance your memory health, mood, and cognitive skill pool is the rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Rosemary is easy to grow and requires a lot of sunlight and water. Growing rosemary can be proven to promote mental alertness. There are many other possibilities when it comes to indoor plants and cognitive skills. The ability to improve your cognitive skills by enhancing your garden is all based on finding the right plants for the right room.
Do cognitive skills decline with age?
In recent years, the field of Gerontology has become more focused on memory, cognitive function, and cognition. It is because these three processes are critical for functioning in society. As individuals grow older they experience changes to these functions which may have consequences for their commitment to meaningful activities that benefit society. For example, individuals with a decrease in cognitive function may feel like they cannot be an active member in society anymore due to its impact on their life. Further research is needed in order to gain a better understanding of how different aspects of cognition change over time with aging and what implications that has for our everyday lives.
Generally, cognitive skills decline with age, but this does not have to be the case. Many studies have been conducted that show people, in general, tend to experience less cognitive decline when they are engaged in intellectual activities like learning new skills or using their brains in challenging tasks. This is good news for all of us because it means we can retain our cognitive skills by finding ways to stimulate it through various types of activities, which include indoor gardening also.
Improving our cognitive health has been shown to improve our mental and physical health as well as decrease the risk of aging-associated diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Activities that involve social interaction are also a great way to improve your cognition because they connect you with others and allow you time away from technology which can be a big benefit to your brain.
Though we can use lots of cognitive development exercises, gardening is a God-given natural thing to practice and enhance the old one’s lower cognitive ability.
What are the effects of using indoor gardening on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Many children with ADHD are highly creative; they have many good ideas, but it’s hard for them to follow through with these ideas because of the working memory issues associated with ADHD. With ADHD, children have a lot of trouble remembering things they want to do and then following up on those plans. They also have trouble paying attention, which can make it hard for them to complete homework and projects on time.
ADHD can be reduced by a regular gardening activity along with other family members.
Conclusion
A study conducted by Juhn et al. (2014) reported that the presence of plants in the environment can improve a person’s cognitive skills and attention span. Additionally, there have been studies that have shown a link between the presence of plants in a room and an improvement in brain function, such as math and spelling ability. Another study conducted by Reed et al. (2012) reported that when studying for a math test, participants who were exposed to plants during this time performed better than participants who were not exposed to any plants. Furthermore, there have been studies that have shown a link between the presence of plants in a room and an improvement in brain function, such as math and spelling ability.
From the above examples, it can be concluded that plants can improve cognitive skills. Furthermore, using our indoor plants to brush up on our critical thinking skills is not only fun but can also be potentially very useful for work or school. In fact, this is just one of many ways a person can benefit from using their indoor plants to cheerily enhance their cognitive skills.
The fact that indoor plants can improve cognitive skills has not been fully understood. In the last few decades, scientists have performed many studies to understand the positive effects of plants on mental health. This is because they can find a plethora of studies in which plants were either used as medication or medicinal treatment for their symptoms. This research was conducted because the presence of some plants has shown to be beneficial for people in various situations like depression, anxiety, and even post-stroke recovery.
The findings from one of these studies conducted by researchers Kuo and Sullivan (2015), showed that people who spend time with plants surroundings have greater attention spans and are less fatigued. Another study performed by Weiss and Kaplan (2006) showed that patients suffering from Post-Stroke Disorder were more attentive when they were exposed to plants than when they were not. Furthermore, a study performed by Herrera et al. (2011) showed that patients suffering from post-stroke disorder were able to perceive touch stimuli more clearly when they were exposed to plants. Lastly, a study performed by Smith et al. (2015) reported that patients who were following a recovery program involving plants had better reaction time.
Studies such as these suggest that using indoor plants can improve cognitive skills and brain function in patients who are suffering from or recovering from stroke, anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder ADHD, and many others. However, more research is needed in this field to fully understand the mechanism that underlies these phenomena.
Also, read;
- 5 Best Farm House Lights Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
- Cognitive Skills Improvement by Your Attractive Indoor Garden or Plants
- Best Vertical Gardening Planters (Reviews)
