Bringing plants into our homes isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a great way to promote wellness. Not only do they improve air quality, lower stress and boost mood, but some have even been proven to heal the body and mind!
A new study suggests that looking at greenery can help people recover from surgery, reducing their need for pain medication and speeding up healing. In addition, plants can be used as a tool to treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Improved Air Quality
Plants improve the air quality of an area in several ways. For example, they can absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air through photosynthesis and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. They can also increase humidity by transpiring water vapor through microscopic pores on the leaves.
These are all important processes for a healthy indoor environment. But plants don’t just improve air quality; they can reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses that cause infections in confined spaces, as well.
For this reason, plants have become a popular way to make our indoor areas healthier, and for good reason: they’re cheap, easy to care for, and can be used to decorate any space. While these benefits are undoubtedly impressive, it’s important to remember that science still doesn’t know exactly how plants can clean the air inside our homes and offices.
There have been numerous studies that have tested whether plants can purify the air by removing airborne pollutants from the atmosphere. Those experiments often involved placing potted plants in small chambers and measuring how much pollution the plants removed from the surrounding air.
In the majority of those studies, plants removed VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air over time. However, they did so incredibly slowly. And to be sure, these tests aren’t always done correctly.
Rather than relying on plants to filter out airborne pollutants, you should focus on other methods. For instance, you can install active green walls or air filtration systems to remove contaminants from the air in your home or office. While those aren’t perfect solutions, they can make a big difference to your overall health and comfort.
Reduced Stress & Anxiety
Many people struggle with stress and anxiety in their everyday lives – a recent study shows that indoor plants can help to reduce this. They are proven to improve air quality, boost productivity and have a positive impact on mental health.
A Japanese study found that people who had small plants on their desks had lower levels of stress and anxiety than those who did not have a plant. They also found that participants who were able to take a break from their desk work to tend to and gaze at their plant had lower anxiety levels than those who did not.
Studies show that seeing greenery and nature can reduce stress and anxiety by triggering our five senses, stimulating blood flow, improving air quality, improving concentration, reducing fatigue and boosting our moods. This is why having a plant in your office or home can be so helpful.
In order to get the most out of your plants, you should choose ones that can be cared for in a way that is easy and enjoyable for you. For example, a snake plant (also known as mother-in-law’s tongue) is a good choice because it needs very little attention and can survive in the driest of conditions.
Other great choices include the calathea (also called the peace lily), which is also a great air purifier and can make a lovely addition to any room in your home. Pothos plants are another great option, especially if you’re a beginner with houseplants.
Even if you don’t have any space for plants, there are many other ways to reap the benefits of nature, including reading books about it and putting up posters of greenery and natural motifs. You can even use virtual reality to mimic nature experiences for stress reduction!
Boosted Mood
Keeping indoor plants & greenery is a great way to improve your mental health. Several studies have shown that greenery can boost the mood by engaging the senses. It is also important to note that greenery can remove carbon dioxide from the air and replace it with oxygen. This is a good way to boost air quality and eliminate any air pollutants you may have in your home.
Plants are often a popular addition to homes because they have many well-being benefits, such as increasing productivity and reducing stress. In addition, plants are known to enhance creativity and bolster the imagination.
Another benefit of keeping plants in your space is that they help improve the quality of sleep. This is because plants, such as snake plants, bromeliads and orchids, release oxygen at night. This is helpful for people who have trouble falling asleep.
There is also a strong link between being in the presence of plants and increased levels of serotonin, a hormone that can reduce stress and increase happiness. This is because a bacterium in soil, Mycobacterium vaccae, triggers the production of serotonin. This helps to increase a person’s feeling of happiness and optimism, making them feel more positive about life.
In fact, a recent study found that a majority of participants who had plants during the COVID-19 pandemic reported that their plants made a positive impact on their moods. Interestingly, those who had no houseplants or had minimal natural light at their home experienced negative emotions like sadness and fear more frequently than those who had plants.
Medicinal Plants
There are many medicinal plants that you can grow indoors, and some of them have specific uses to help with certain medical conditions. These plants can be used as teas, essential oils, or in salves to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and soothe the nervous system.
There’s also a lot of research about how plants can help you recover from illness or surgery, and many people have found that taking a plant with them to the hospital can speed up their healing. Researchers have shown that patients are more tolerant of pain and need less medication when they are in an environment with greenery.
Some plants can remove toxins from the air too. For example, a NASA study tested two types of dracaena and found that they were able to remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air.
Another great option is aloe vera. This plant is an easy-to-grow herb that will provide you with soothing relief for burns and abrasions. The gel of the plant is a natural anti-inflammatory, which can help heal minor sunburns.
It can also be used to help with dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. It is a wonderful addition to your medicine cabinet, and you can use it on your face or in a bath to relieve tension.
Other medicinal herbs that can be grown indoors include lemon balm, calamus, and holy basil. All of these can be used to help with stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
Fun Hobby
Having a hobby is a great way to de-stress, boost your mood, and make you feel better overall. It’s also a great way to meet new people.
You can choose from a wide variety of hobbies, and it’s important to find one that’s right for you. Consider your interest, as well as your lifestyle and budget. Often, beginners can start with inexpensive or free equipment.
Some fun hobbies include learning a foreign language, hiking, playing musical instruments, fostering animals, and playing board games with friends. Then there’s gardening, which can help you connect with nature while helping your mental health and reducing stress.
For those who aren’t so keen on gardening, there are many low-maintenance plants you can grow indoors. A popular choice is the Snake Plant, which absorbs harmful chemical toxins from the air and promotes better sleep, which can be helpful if you’re struggling with anxiety or insomnia.
Another interesting hobby for those who are nature enthusiasts is plant and animal identification. There are several apps out there that will let you know what’s growing around your yard, and it can be a fascinating activity to try.
Lastly, stargazing is a fun and relaxing hobby that you can do alone or with your friends. You can get a beginner’s telescope for free and learn to identify the stars, or you can join an amateur astronomy club.
Finding a fun and relaxing hobby can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be! The best way to find a good fit is to ask yourself these questions: