Adding indoor plants has the added benefit of benefiting residents or employees. Indoor plants are a natural and beautiful addition to any interior. A number of scientific studies have documented the benefits, both physical and psychological. Everyone spends a considerable amount of time indoors. By integrating plants into the interior design of homes or offices, everyone can appreciate the stunning beauty of the outdoors and the health benefits of indoor plants.
An Eye-Candy Plant
Remember our elders saying that looking at greenery is good for our eyes? Well, they are absolutely right. Plants not only provide a soothing environment in the office with their rich shades of green. Having plants in your office or home will enhance the aesthetics of your space, encouraging happier and healthier people. Plants also provide a visually meditative experience that, in the end, produce happier, healthier people who are more prosperous. Visitors are more likely to enter an office or home that is crammed with vibrant greenery, while plants in offices also generate positive brand awareness.
Stress is reduced by plants
A number of studies have demonstrated that indoor plants can reduce stress levels in the workplace. Introducing plants to your workspace can reduce stress levels. Several studies have demonstrated reductions in health risks resulting from being located in an office with plants. Among these are;
• Tension/Anxiety – 37% reduction
• Depression/Dejection – 58% reduction
• Anger/Hostility – 44% reduction
• Fatigue – 38% reduction
In the study’s conclusion, it reads:
“This study shows that just one plant per work space can provide a very large lift to staff spirits, and so promote wellbeing and performance”
When plants are present in buildings and office environments, they are more interesting, colorful and relaxing. They are considered calming. Not only are the psychological benefits proven, but also physiological benefits such as lowered blood pressure have been observed in a greener office. We also feel more comfortable with plants because they enhance our perception of our surroundings, reducing stress. Moreover, Feng Shui believes that placing a peace lily or a money plant in front of a sharp angle or corner should ease anxiety and stress.
Clean Air Is Provided By Plants
The air inside modern office buildings can contain up to ten times more pollutants than the air outside. Toxic culprits found in the office are formaldehyde, mold, dust mites, carbon monoxide, chemical cleaning agents, and many others. By removing toxins from the air, plants improve the quality of indoor air. They also stabilize humidity levels. Snake plant, also known as Sensivieria, is popular for releasing nighttime oxygen. Peace Lily, Ferns, and Money plants are all thought to be effective air purifying and humidifying plants. Other plant air purifiers include Rubber Plants, Syngoniums, Chinese Evergreens or Aglaonema. All these plants are on NASA’s list of best air-purifiers. Scientists generally agree that plants improve the indoor environment and are useful in fighting the modern Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Although no exact cause has been found for SBS, poor airquality, excessive background noise, and poor control of humidity and light are thought to all play an important role.
NASA and Associated Landscape Contractors performed The Clean Air Study, which indicates the toxicants that cause sick building syndrome include:
• Trichloroethylene – Found in printing inks, paints and varnishes
• Formaldehyde – Found in paper bags, facial tissues and paper towels
• Benzene – Found in plastic resins, dyes and furniture wax
• Xylene – Found in rubber, leather and paint
• Ammonia – Found in window cleaners, floor waxes and fertilizers
Toxins are known to produce adverse health effects in people who are exposed to them. A person may face adverse effects when exposed to these toxins in the short term based on how often and how much they are exposed to them. Below are some types of adverse effects people could potentially face when exposed to these specific toxins in the short term.
• Trichloroethylene – dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting
• Formaldehyde – irritation to nose, mouth and throat and in severe cases swelling of the larynx and lungs
• Benzene – irritation to eyes, dizziness, headaches, confusion and drowsiness
• Xylene – irritation to mouth and throat, heart problems, headaches and dizziness
• Ammonia – eye irritation, coughing and sore throat
With a ratio of one plant per three employees, air quality within the office can be improved. It can reduce CO2 emissions by 50% as well as dust, bacteria, and mould, which would otherwise be inhaled by employees. The dust levels in the workplace can be reduced by up to 20% when plants are introduced. Plants are also helpful in reducing man-made toxins that are present in offices and created from plastics, paints, carpets, and certain cleaning products.
With correct placement of plants, the need for air conditioning can also be reduced and the humidity can be heightened (up to 20%). By reducing the dry air caused by air conditioning and increasing humidity, illnesses like tickly coughs become less common.
Plants Increase productivity
A plant-dominated environment is proven to improve productivity. Cognitive tasks, concentration, and focus are all improved; therefore, workers are more productive. It has been found in various studies that improvements in productivity, reduced errors, and completed tasks results in an increase of from 10%-15% in productivity for computer workers. Due to plants’ ability to eliminate excess carbon dioxide from the air, higher concentration levels can be observed.
Plants Reduce Noise Levels
Indoor plants change the acoustics of the room by reducing reverberation time. This is similar to how plants are commonly used along highways and interstates to reduce noise pollution. Plants placed in areas with hard surfaces, such as the hard wood floors, concrete walls, and marble walls, will effectively absorb noise that can be distracting and hurt employees productivity. The ability of plants to reduce ambient noise within an office by quite a bit, as much as 5 decibels, is one of the lesser-known advantages of plants. Employees can focus on their work when they hear less background noise, which otherwise could be distracting.
Plants make you look healthier and reduce sickness.
Plants have been reported to reduce absenteeism by up to 50%, and minor illnesses by 30% when introduced to an office environment. The decrease in absence within the organization improves the productivity of the company as well as reduces the cost associated with absences year over year. Plants, in combination with humidity, can dehumidify the air and reduce stress. Because of this, it has been found that plants reduce dry skin by 20%. This means that we feel better and look healthier.
With the help of indoor plants, we can create a pleasant and relaxing environment, whether it is for moving, working, or relaxing. Having a large surface area and passing gases and water with the surrounding environment, plants can reduce levels of carbon dioxide, increase humidity, and decrease certain levels of pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide and benzene. Therefore, get your office and home green, by getting some green plants now. You’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of being green. Green is definitely worth it.
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