By J1 Reporter Anna Cacioppo 

Providing a soothing presence in classrooms, green plants help fight off the cold-weather gloom. Plants have a calming effect on people in their environment. Plant power is essential for combating the bad mood that often accompanies the cold winter months. The gloom seems to hit the hardest in classrooms, where the winter blues affect both students and faculty alike. 

Plants have been scientifically proven to boost our immune system and help us feel better when we’re sick.

“Scientifically I believe that having the mental state of them helping us feel better truly makes us feel better,” junior Emily Berthelsen said. She enjoys caring for her plants when she is sick or stressed, which is a frequent occurrence for most students in the winter. “Being around plants helps me focus and stay calm,” Berthelsen said. She often does homework while surrounded by plants to stay productive and positive.

Ms. Halli Tripe has four plants to boost the mood in her English classroom, especially during these winter months. “It makes me happy to see green things in my room,” Tripe said. While she’s not the biggest plant person, Tripe cannot deny the positive effects plants have on the winter blues. “I think having plants in my environment reduces the day-to-day stress I feel,” she said. Her classroom is improved because of the welcoming atmosphere the plants provide.

Not only are plants beneficial for our mood and health, but they’re also easy to care for. That makes them a great option for spicing up the dry winter mood. “I plant my garden every February, and they live inside in egg cartons and eventually move to plastic cups as they grow,” Berthelsen said.

Finding the right plants for you is as easy as a Google search, and many can thrive indoors.

This easy care makes plants perfect for classrooms. Tripe said, “My work-study student waters them every day, and that’s it.” Caring for plants in the classroom is quick and simple: sunlight and water. Don’t let the cold weather prevent you from enjoying the fantastic power of plants.