Succulent fat leaves and cute shapes heal the heart;
Soft plush toys make us unwilling to put them down;
Soft clothes can make people feel physically and mentally comfortable all day long;
Natural reliance on soft substances
The plump leaves of succulent plants are like natural artworks. Pausing in their tracks, people involuntarily become absorbed in admiration. For many, this enjoyment of observing quickly transforms into a desire to possess. In this diverse world, people begin to explore different varieties of succulents, seeking the one that suits them best.
In the world of succulent plants, a pot of plants is not just a pot of plants but also an expression of a lifestyle and emotions. So when people see succulent plants, they are not just looking at plants; they are also seeing a touch of greenery and beauty in life.
In 1959, an American psychologist named Harlow and his colleagues conducted a study in which newborn monkeys were separated from their mothers right after birth. During the next 165 days, the monkeys were exposed to two types of mothers - a wire mother and a fluffy mother. The wire mother had a bottle on her chest, while the fluffy mother did not.
Initially, the baby monkeys spent more time with the wire mother. However, within a few days, they started to prefer the fluffy mother and would only go to the wire mother when they were hungry. When the baby monkeys felt threatened, they would cling to the fluffy mother instead of the wire mother.
Studies have shown that emotional bonds are formed not through mechanical stimulation but through gentle touch. In our stressful urban lives, the soft foliage of succulents also gives us a much-needed tender connection to nature.
A soft touch can be pleasurable
Do you feel the irresistible urge to touch your succulents while watering them, especially the soft leaves?
In the sunlight, the leaves of the Cotyledon Tomentosa shimmer with a silvery-white luster, while the fine, downy hairs that cover them give them a warm and fuzzy feel.
These leaves are not just a part of the plant, but also a gift from nature, bringing tenderness and beauty into people's lives.Harlow's experiments tell us that soft touch is essential for early attachment formation, and a 2020 study also showed that soft touch can indeed be pleasurable.
The researcher placed the rubber blocks on a presser that could be lifted and lowered automatically, as shown in Figure 1. There are nine different softnesses of rubber blocks, and the automatic presser can provide different downward pressing forces (5N and 20N were examined in the experiment).
Participants placed their middle three fingers on the presser for the formal experiment. They were randomly presented with 18 stimuli—nine rubber blocks of varying softness and two types of force, 5N versus 20N (the experiment did not result in pain for participants). With each stimulus, participants self-reported how pleasant their mood was and how much softness they perceived.
It was found that participants' self-reported pleasantness was significantly and positively correlated with softness, suggesting that soft touch can indeed be pleasurable. So is the pleasant softness also visible?
Sight and touch are connected
Many people find that just looking at plump succulents can make them feel happy and calm. This is because our brain anticipates the soft texture of the plant, even without us touching it.
A study called "Multisensory Interaction" found that when participants touched the same surface while seeing different visuals, they had different tactile perceptions of the surface. This shows how much our vision affects our sense of touch.
Therefore, just by looking at the plump state and beautiful colors of succulents, we can feel joy and healing. This experience may also inspire us to care for these plants more and appreciate the beauty of nature.
In conclusion, seeing succulents can evoke happiness and satisfaction, as if touching them. Gazing at their fleshy leaves may feel their softness in your mind, inducing a sense of joy and relaxation. Do you also experience similar feelings when touching and seeing succulents.
Additional note:
Have you ever felt the urge to squeeze your succulent?
This phenomenon, called Cute Aggression, is a normal response when faced with something overly cute or perfect. It involves feeling overwhelmingly positive emotions to the point of wanting to disrupt or destroy, which helps balance irrational emotions.
Maybe that's why we like to break out the lithops so much! Because it's so cute and perfect!
