I’m sure you have heard about plants being healthy, but what exactly does that mean? A well-planned interior will benefit from the benefits of plants in a number of ways we can’t really see – and probably don’t even realize.
It’s time to bring these methods out into the open! There may be variations in the variety of health benefits of indoor plants you find on different websites and in various publications, but generally speaking, they can be categorized into six essential categories.
1. Cleaner air
Today, we surround ourselves with countless objects and substances, many of which – carpets, paint, grocery bags, and printer toners – release pollutants that we collectively refer to as VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. In addition to breathing, we also release carbon dioxide when we do so. We can then breathe out skin- and eye-irritating toxins and pollutants trapped in our cozy, sealed-off interiors.
Houseplants can help you here, if you put them in the room in the first place. The absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, absorbing VOCs and removing common pollutants from the air. Plant some large or medium plants in your room and keep their leaves free of dust, but make sure to expose them to natural sunlight by putting them outside every now and then.
2. Healthier & happier minds
Indoor plants have also been proven to positively affect our mental and emotional health, to the extent that therapists all over the world are now using gardening to treat psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Many health centers use greenery to help patients recover faster and thus utilize it as a great way to assist in healing.
Plants can also bring similar results to offices, leading to more satisfied employees that take fewer sick days. So go ahead and liven up your space with colorful flowers or plants and let them lift your mood!
3. Less stress
A number of studies have shown that when plants surround us, it results in a slower heart rate and a healthier level of blood pressure – especially when we are feeling stressed or anxious. While the reasons for this have not been fully established, scientists believe it may be because plants have played a huge part in human evolution for so long, and because we feel at home in a place we recognize.
Plants also provide you with a practical aspect, as you have to care for them, giving you an opportunity to get away from your troubles as well as exercising your body. You don’t need much more to forget about your worries than some gardening!
4. Sharper focus
A number of studies indicate that as soon as greenery is added to our room’s décor, our productivity increases by up to 15 percent, as well as our attention span is increased by a similar margin. Keeping plants around makes it easier for us to focus on the task at hand and to remember things; students consistently perform better on tests when plants keep them company.
Do you have issues with productivity and consistency in the office? If you put a small plant on your desk – perhaps a low-maintenance succulent if you do not have the time – you will soon see that plants are much more than just décor.
5. More regenerative sleep
Plants are healthy components of any bedroom because they can recycle carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Contrary to popular myths, we should not fear them at night even though it is known that they help us sleep better. Despite the fact that most plants emit CO2 after the sun goes down, the amount released is much less than what humans or pets produce – which is why it is better from the perspective of air quality to share your bedroom with plants than with any other animals or people.
Make sure to get plants which make oxygen during the night, like snake plants, areca palms and aloe vera, to keep things balanced. Regardless of what plants you put in your bedroom, the bottom line is that you will sleep more soundly and wake up more rested than without plants.
6. Quicker recovery
Plants can also help you recover faster from illness or injury, regardless of whether you needed surgery. Researchers at Kansas State University have found that adding plants to hospital rooms speed the recovery of surgical patients, with patients needing fewer painkillers and having better heart rates and blood pressure with plants in their room. In fact, there’s more wisdom to bringing flowers to patients in the hospital than we used to believe!
Moreover, plants are also known to relieve allergy symptoms, and to keep other respiratory problems at bay – which makes sense as they release 97 percent of the water they take in, so they can’t help but make the air more humid. Aloe vera, for example, is commonly used to soothe skin irritations and heal sunburns.
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The reason there are so many benefits to indoor plants is because they all feed off of each other. That said, there is no doubt in my mind that indoor plants are well worth the extra effort and they will pay you back in so many ways that you cannot comprehend.
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