INTRODUCTION
Have you ever been in a room with plenty of plants and instantly felt more relaxed? Plants can both brighten your home and improve your mood. This is due to your body’s intrinsic need to be close to nature. If you live in a city, unfortunately, nature can be hard to come by.
However, there are a variety of small plants you can use to add some green to the places where you spend the most of your time: your home and your office. If you’re thinking of getting some plants for yourself, here are some benefits you should consider.
PURIFY THE AIR
One of the main reasons to surround yourself with plants is due to their ability to purify the air. A 1989 study by NASA discovered the most effective plant purifiers, which include:
Boston Fern: this popular plant can act as an efficient filter, eliminating toxins and mold from the indoor air. It can also serve as a natural humidifier, which can be especially useful during those dry winter months.
Peace Lily: with its striking white flowers, this plant can instantly add an aesthetic appeal to any room. Despite its delicate appearance, the peace lily has the power to eliminate eliminate harsh chemical pollutants (e.g. Benzene) from your home.
Bamboo Palm: this plant can thrive without much maintenance, thriving best in indirect sunlight. It can help filter chemical toxins out of the air, such as formaldehyde.
THEY MAKE YOU HAPPIER
Research suggests that being surrounded by plants generates a feeling of well-being and joy. Their color and aromas can have an overall calming effect on us. Some indoor plants have specific effects on our mood, such as:
Jasmine: this beautiful, fragrant plant can help put your mind at ease. It may also help quell anxiety, making it easier for you to fall asleep at night.
Lavender: with its calming scent, the lavender plant is often used in aromatherapy to provide stress relief.
DECREASE NOISE
Plants are the noise-blockers you didn’t know you needed. If you work in a city or live near a busy street, plants can absorb some of the sound waves from pedestrians, construction, or passing cars. Place a few by the window and see if you can hear the difference!
HELP YOU CONCENTRATE
Plants can help keep create an atmosphere of peace and harmony, ideal for you to read, study, or meditate without any distractions. Here are some of the most effective plants when it comes to concentration:
Rosemary: this herb provides a host of health benefits. It can relieve muscle pain, improve your memory, and give your immune system a boost.
Philodendron: this leafy plant can cleanse the air and make you feel less drowsy and more productive, making it a great desk companion at work!
HELP YOU RELAX
If you suffer from stress, plants can help you get back to baseline with their therapeutic presence. We recommend the following
Passion flower: decreases anxiety and feelings of depression, and helps you fall asleep.
Valerian: used in alternative medicine to reduce heart rate, treat depression, and improve sleep.
MENTAL HEALTH
Having a small garden or a few plants at home helps us on a variety of fronts: it clears our mind, gives us a feeling of well-being, teaches us to be patient, stimulates our creativity, and teaches us to care for and love nature. After a few weeks of taking care of your plants, you mind find that you’re happier, calmer, and far less stressed.
FENG SHUI
According to the feng shui philosophy, house plants can drastically improve the energy flow of your home. For instance, orchids are all you need to add a splash of color to your home or office. They’re also popular among feng shui designers, and are believed to bring positive energy, or a good chi, to the room.
