They Absorb the Toxins in the Air
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted a study on air quality and plants in 1989. A lot of research has proven that houseplants can improve the overall air quality. It has been said that both leaves and roots can remove toxins from the air within sealed spaces. Some plants absorb toxic compounds, such as Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, and Formaldehyde, that are dangerous to humans. In addition to this, plants also give off oxygen, so we breathe cleaner air because of this and we do not need to ingest poisons.
A NASA expert provides the recommendation that a plant placed in an indoor space of 100 square feet must be provided with the best results.
They Encourage Healing
Plants may improve healing. That is why doctors encourage their patients’ families to bring plants or flowers when they visit. They feel better. It’s an effective, inexpensive, and non-invasive complementary treatment for recuperating post-operative patients. Researchers from Kansas State University were able to prove this claim after patients who saw plants post-op showed signs of an improvement with their physiologic response. As opposed to patients who did not have plants in their rooms, their blood pressures were regulated, their pain was more tolerable, they were less anxious, and they slept better.
Plants That are Good for Anxiety
It has been found that certain plants can reduce stress, soothe headaches, ease strain and control anxiety. The people who suffer from anxiety are often those who spend a lot of time indoors due to work or other reasons. Poor indoor air quality will definitely adversely affect your health, including mental health. Anxiety issues can be greatly improved with plants. Here are our top 5 picks:
- Jasmine
They may grow outdoors, but can also thrive indoors, as long as they are properly taken care of. Around the aroma of the Jasmine flower, you feel more at peace and less anxious. It is sweet and very pleasing to the senses, inducing sleeping.- Indoor Care Tips: The plants grow best outdoors, but they can also be easily adapted to indoor conditions. Your home may not provide you with full light access, so the best option is to invest in grow lights that emit specifically red light that would help your flowers to bloom. Overwatering your plant will never make it successful. The soil for your plant must be moist and never soggy. The plants will likely be overwatered when kept indoors because they consume less water indoors and the sun isn’t able to evaporate the excess.
- Lavender
The lavender plant is closely related to the mint plant and is sometimes used as an essential oil. Several studies show the scent of lavender can minimize agitation in babies while at the same time calming them down.- Indoor Care Tips:
- Bushy shrubs, which are often grown outside, can also survive in indoor conditions. Make sure your lavender is potted, and kept away from moist areas. They don’t require special soil so you can plant them in clay and still grow. They need plenty of light, so a well-lit space is essential. In the kitchen, or near windows where light is often available, you can put them or on a window sill.
- Rosemary
This perennial flowering plant is primarily used in the culinary industry and has been shown to help improve air quality, enhance memory, reduce stress, and even eliminate anxiety. The herb itself has dozens of active agents and enzymes that can help you with your personal needs. You may consume it or use it in aromatherapy.- Indoor Care Tips: It thrives both outdoors and indoors, using the same care, with relatively little effort. A place in your living space or kitchen would be ideal for their growth as they like bright light and cool surroundings. Remember to prune them from time to time so they maintain their form. You can also replant them easily with the use of grafting.
- English Ivy
English ivy can reduce the amount of mold in your home, about 94% of mold spores can be removed in just 12 hours. It is also capable of absorbing formaldehyde. When you eliminate these toxins from your air, you will be able to relax and sleep better.- Indoor Care Tips: It is important to pay special attention to the moisture levels of the soil when taking care of English ivy. Before re watering, please make sure you check the moisture levels of the soil. Allow the plants to completely dry out between waterings since they prefer a slight level of moisture. It is very important to fertilize English Ivies at least once a month in order to maintain their health. Such fertilizing must be done when the plant is dormant. To allow its foliage to absorb more light, it would also need a little dusting.
- Snake Plants
Snake plants are extremely helpful to people whose nose, eyes, and sinuses are constantly irritation. Their energy-enhancing properties help to improve moods, plus they look good in any décor.
During an intensive NASA study, they were able to discover the many benefits of keeping snake plants in your home. Researchers were able to note marked decreases in benzene and trichloroethylene levels after an enclosed snake plant was released into the air for 24 hours. It explains how it reduces headaches and other discomforts we feel.- Indoor Care Tips: A snake plant is one of the most durable plants, and can survive for weeks without water or sunlight. It also thrives in low-light conditions. In cooler seasons, you should avoid watering too much. If kept in cooler places, you do not have to water very often. You can fertilize your plants, but it’s not really necessary. Please do not put water on these plants for a long period of time.
Plants That Help with Stress Around the Office
Nowadays most companies have plants around their workplaces. The American Institute of Stress says that approximately 80 percent of today’s employees experience work-related stress. Stress is a common factor for various issues that may arise. Office managers make sure to improve the work environment of their staff by placing plants in these spaces, which helps to improve their company’s performance.
Top Five Plants to Reduce Employee Stress.
- Aloe Plant
The Aloe Vera plant is quite popular for its medicinal properties, but they are also good for cleaning the air. They have even been dubbed as nature’s air purifier. The reason why they are kept in offices is because they require very little water and require very little attention. In fact, they prefer to be neglected since watering them too much can ruin their roots. - English Ivy
As mentioned earlier, the English Ivy has been shown to be quite effective in reducing mold in indoor living spaces. The plants are quite easy to store, too. Offices are often musty, benefit greatly from having them around. They can be placed in a hanging basket or a pot with a stake. They are quite easy to cultivate and do not need much attention other than pruning. - Snake Plant
Except for the occasional dusting, snake plants require virtually no effort to care for. It doesn’t require as much water, and it can live for a long time in artificial lighting. Due to its ability to clean the air of toxins, this plant is quite helpful when it comes to offices. With their slim shape, they look great in any office space and will not clash with your décor. - Philodendron
In order for a plant to be able to produce food, it needs light. The difference between plants that require little or no maintenance and plants that need little to no maintenance is that plants that require little to no maintenance will adapt to difficult environments that lack their needs. In offices, the Philodendron is able to survive for several years since it does not need to be watered often and would only need a small amount of natural light to thrive. - Peace Lily
- This plant thrives in low light environments and produces beautiful white blossoms. Additionally, they are able to absorb pollutants, including formaldehyde, benzene, and acetone, well. Peace lilies will also make you appreciate its beauty. Peace lilies are not slim and flowerless like most low-maintenance houseplants; in fact, they have lush foliage and beautiful white blossoms.
It is quite economical to purchase these plants, and they will not die after a short period of neglect. It is highly likely that these plants will work well as de-stressors since they have been tested and proven effective.
Are you Biophilic?
A person who is predisposed to love plants is thought to be biophilic. Those who fall into this category choose to stay close to natural environments.
According to extensive research, people generally associate trees and plants with a strong and positive sense of well-being. People would be literally unable to handle physical and mental stresses without plant life. So, if you find yourself attracted to nature more intensely than usual, you can be certain that you are biophilic.
The essence of nature is often lost to this day and age due to people’s obsession with technology and other advancements. Having more people committed to the environment would be nice, as well.
Back to our original question: can plants really make you happier? The quick answer would be yes. This claim has been backed-up by a ton of research, so investing in an indoor garden today will be a good decision for you.
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