Plants for Self Care
February 24, 2022
Plants truly provide so many benefits to people, the environment, and insects alike. We are going to focus today on the many benefits that accompany indoor plants. It is more than just meets the eye, literally, there are many benefits beyond how a plant looks in your home, like how it can be a form of self-care!
Beautiful to Look At
The first way plants help is probably the most obvious benefit, they look great! When you add plants to your home, especially ones that you find beautiful, it will of course increase your mood. As well, they add a pivotal role in helping design your home. Plants can elevate your space or even be a focal point for you.
Reduces Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Sounds too good to be true, but it is! In 2015 a study from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology showed that they can reduce mental and physical stress. The act of interacting with plants, looking at them, pruning them, etc. actually suppressed the stress related sympathetic nervous system. Basically that means it reduced blood pressure and soothed natural thoughts and feelings. Another study cited by Affinity Health, shows that a bacterium in plant soil called Mycobacterium vaccae actually can cause a release of serotonin. An immediate mood boost, while reducing anxiety. We can back up these thoughts, we love being surrounded by plants all day!
Improve Air Quality
There are many varieties and each one can provide different benefits to your home to improve air quality. The main way that they improve air quality is by photosynthesis. Photosynthesis absorbs the carbon dioxide we breathe out, absorbs it, and emits oxygen as a byproduct. Not only that, but there are Studies from NASA that indicate they could be absorbing other airborne pollutants, acting as a purifier. The study stated that plant-filled rooms contain 50 to 60 percent fewer airborne molds and bacterias than rooms without. Some that can be recommended for the home to improve air quality are Aloe Vera, Spider Plant, and the Rubber Figs to name a few.
Creativity and Memory
Last, but not least, they can improve creativity, productivity and even memory! It sounds too good to be true. Due to the fact that they help with your wellbeing, it makes sense that they can boost your creativity by clearing your mind and allowing you to think up some new ideas. In fact, in 2015 there was a study that placement of plants in the workplace can increase productivity by 15%! Our favorite to increase productivity is succulent gardens, due to their unique and different sizing, are great to increase creativity.
The numbers speak for themselves! Now for the fun part…What plants should we get? Check out our Chicago flower studio to start your collection!
Sources
- https://greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Human-Spaces-Report-Biophilic-Global_Impact_Biophilic_Design.pdf
