Written by
Carmen
You’re busy, constantly on the go, your head is full and you just keep pushing on. Life can sometimes rush past you. That’s exactly when a small moment of calm can make all the difference. A plant pause is such a simple yet powerful moment: dropping everything for a second and stopping what you’re doing. Shift your attention and consciously look at something green. On those days when everything just keeps rolling one after the other, a short, green pause like this can help you reconnect with yourself. In this article, we’ll tell you all about the benefits of this small, green recharge moment for your mind.
The value of looking at plants
Daily life asks a lot of us. Work, study, screens and stimuli come at us in quick succession. That’s exactly why a short break, a plant pause, can help you unwind.
The idea is really simple: by consciously looking at greenery for a moment, you shift your focus. That moment of attention can help you slow down and step back from whatever you were doing.
Research shows that a short break, where you spend around 40 seconds looking at a green or ‘nature-like’ environment, can help support your attention and focus afterwards. This research was conducted among students in a controlled setting, and shows that even a brief pause can have an effect in that context.
It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean the brain fully ‘recovers’. However, even a brief moment like this can help reset your attention. It shows that, in this context, simply glancing at greenery can help you stay focused. A plant pause offers an easy way to step away from your work, shift your focus and take a moment’s distance from whatever you’re doing.
A green moment fits into every day
A plant break is easy for everyone to fit into their day. While studying, between two appointments or after a long stretch in front of a screen. The idea is simple: pause what you’re doing, shift your focus and consciously take a moment to appreciate the greenery around you.
And the best part is: it doesn’t have to be complicated. A plant, a flower or a green wall can be enough. Also worth mentioning: greenery makes everyone feel happier.
How can you take a ‘green moment’ for yourself?
Don’t make it difficult for yourself. A plant pause doesn’t need to be big or complicated at all. Its strength lies in its simplicity. By consciously taking a moment, you create a small point of calm in a busy day. After that, you can carry on with your exams, your to-do list, your hyperfocus or your game.
It can be as simple as a few easy steps:
- Pause briefly from what you’re doing
- Direct your gaze towards a plant, flower or green environment (don’t panic if you’re stuck under a ceiling grid: a video or photo works too)
- Observe shapes, colours and details
- Breathe in and out calmly
- Give yourself a few seconds to slow down
Make a habit out of it
By making it a habit, you create several small moments throughout the day to consciously shift your focus.
You can do this at home, at work, in the classroom or outside in nature. Actively practising mindfulness with plants can also teach you how to engage with greenery consciously and with your full attention. Greenery is often closer than you think, you just need to pause for a moment to notice it.
