Have you ever noticed how a wilting plant perks up after being watered or placed in the sunlight?
It’s almost magical how something so simple can transform a drooping leaf into a vibrant, upright one.
Surprisingly, humans aren’t all that different.
Just as plants need sunlight, water, nutrients and a bit of love and care.
We too thrive when we receive similar elements.
The similarities between humans and plants are so striking that it begs the question
Could treating ourselves like plants help our health bloom?
Some Fabulous Similarities to Explore
The Sun : Our Common Source of Life
Plants thrive on sunlight
Using it to create the energy they need to grow through photosynthesis.
While humans don’t have chlorophyll
—the green pigment in plants that captures light—
we do have haemoglobin in our blood
(a protein found in red blood cells)
which also plays a crucial role in energy production.
Just as chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and transforms it into energy, haemoglobin helps transport oxygen throughout our bodies, fuelling our cells.
One of the most amazing connections between us and plants is the exchange of gases.
Plants breathe in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and release oxygen (O₂).
While we breathe in oxygen and exhale CO₂.
It’s a natural cycle that keeps both species thriving,
showing just how interconnected our systems are with those of the plants around us.
But the relationship doesn’t end there.
Modern therapy techniques, like photobiomodulation (PBM), actually mimic the benefits of sunlight at a cellular level for humans.
While plants use light to produce food, PBM uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate energy production in human cells, promoting healing, reducing inflammation and boosting cell regeneration.
It’s like a version of photosynthesis designed for people!
Tip: Try getting at least 15 minutes of sunlight daily.
If you are indoors a lot, consider light therapy, a form of PBM, to activate energy production in your cells and support healing—
just like how plants capture sunlight for growth.
Hydration: Essential for Both Green and Human Life
Water is life
Both for plants and for us.
Without enough water, plants wilt, lose their vibrant colours and stop growing.
Similarly, our bodies need water to support digestion, energy production and even brain function.
Dehydration can leave us feeling sluggish and fatigued, just like a plant that hasn’t been watered.
Internally, both plants and humans rely on fluid systems to transport nutrients and maintain function.
Plants use their xylem and phloem to move water and nutrients throughout their structure, like an internal “circulatory system.”
Humans have a similar system in the form of our blood vessels, which carry oxygen and nutrients to our cells.
Tip: Make hydration a daily priority.
Carry a water bottle of filtered water and take frequent sips throughout the day.
Just like watering a plant’s roots to keep it strong and thriving.
Nutrients: Feeding Growth, Whether Rooted or Walking
Plants absorb nutrients from the soil, pulling in essential minerals and vitamins through their roots to fuel growth.
Similarly, humans absorb nutrients through the food we eat, which keeps our bodies healthy and energised.
Like plants, we need a range of nutrients and a lack of nutrients can prevent the body from functioning optimally.
Plants also need a diverse range of minerals in the soil to thrive, and we humans need a nutrient-dense diet to maintain good health.
Just as different plants have varying nutrient needs, our diets should include a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and healthy fats to keep us functioning at our best.
Tip: Think of your meals as “fertilizer” for your body.
Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods and try to “rotate your crops” by diversifying your diet with colourful, fresh ingredients to make sure you’re getting a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Plants not only rely on sunlight and water but also benefit from the Earth’s natural electromagnetic fields to help regulate their growth.
For humans, we can ‘ground’ ourselves by walking bare foot on the Earth or fortunately modern technology has introduced Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy,
which taps into this concept by stimulating cellular function using gentle electromagnetic fields.
PEMF acts like a recharge for our cells, improving their ability to repair themselves, boosting circulation, and reducing inflammation.
It’s a reminder that, like plants, we are deeply connected to the Earth’s natural rhythms.
Just as plants rely on electromagnetic signals from the Earth to grow, PEMF helps humans restore balance and energy at a cellular level, tapping into a natural source of healing.
Tip: Walk barefoot on the sand or Earth or
Try PEMF therapy to recharge your body’s cells and improve overall wellness.
It’s like grounding your energy, just as a plant
draws strength and nutrients from the soil.
Love and Attention:
The Secret to Thriving
Ever notice how houseplants do better
when they are tended to regularly?
Maybe you mist them, rotate them for balanced sunlight,
or trim their dead leaves.
That little bit of care goes a long way.
Similarly, humans need love and attention to thrive.
Whether it is self-care, nurturing relationships,
or simply taking time to check in with ourselves.
Love is as essential to our growth as water or nutrients.
Tip: Create a routine where you tend to
yourself like you would a plant.
It could be as simple as setting aside a few minutes each day for mindfulness, breathwork, affirmations, friends, family, journaling, or a self-care ritual.
Small, regular acts of care lead to big changes over time.
A Simple Project to Watch Your Health Grow!
Here’s an experiment for you.
Treat yourself like a plant for a month.
This isn’t about simplicity or minimalism, but about honouring your basic, most essential needs.
Water yourself
Track your hydration daily.
Make sure you are drinking enough water and maybe even add in some herbal teas for variety.
Seek out the sun
Spend at least 15-30 minutes outside each day.
On rainy or dark days, use a sunlamp or try red light therapy (photobiomodulation) for those cellular benefits.
Feed your soil
Focus on whole foods.
Try adding more greens to your diet or nourishing your body with nutrient-dense meals.
Ground your energy
Try PEMF therapy or take walks in nature to connect with the Earth’s magnetic fields, grounding your energy and boosting cellular function.
Prune away
Identify areas of stress or overwhelm
and “trim” those dead leaves.
That could be setting boundaries with people, letting go of habits that drain you, or simplifying your schedule.
Cultivate love
Whether it is self-love, spending time with friends,
or nurturing a hobby.
Give yourself the care and attention you deserve.
After 30 days, notice how you feel.
Just like watching a plant bloom, you may see small, but profound, changes in your own energy, mood and overall well-being.
Embrace the Green Within You
Perhaps the real secret to wellness is more natural than we thought.
By aligning ourselves
with the basic principles that plants live by
sunlight, water, nourishment, care and the Earth’s magnetic energy.
We might just find our health blooming in ways we didn’t expect.
So, next time you see a houseplant reaching for the sun or sipping up water…
REMEMBER
you are not so different after all.
Start tending to yourself as you would a beloved plant
and watch how your health begins to grow.
