Plant Magic
Keeping interior plants in your home or office space doesn’t just make your space more aesthetically pleasing to the eye; they provide a calming, comfortable and inviting environment in the spaces we spend most of our time. Countless studies have been conducted over the years to prove that having plants in your home and the act of caring for those plants is beneficial for the whole family’s physical and mental health. On a less official note, plants promote mindfulness, and remind us to slow down and smell the flowers (literally!) They give us huge sense of accomplishment and pride when we see our plant babies thriving, and a challenge to be concurred when something goes awry. They brighten our space and our lives and isn’t that what its all about?
Ever wonder why bringing a plant home seems to instantly elevate your mood? Find yourself getting lost in pampering your plants and the next thing you know your worries seem to have faded? Its science! A study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology showed that having plants in your home and workspace lowers rates of anxiety and depression. Horticulture therapy has been used for centuries to help alleviate symptoms of mental illness. Whether you live with a mental illness, or just want to boost your mood and vibes in your home, houseplants are an all-natural way to just that.
NASA conducted a study in 1989 on plants air purification properties and it was marvelous! Its common knowledge that plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air as part of their photosynthesis cycle, then release oxygen back into the space; but this study showed us some common house plants remove specific harmful toxins (benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene were tested) from the air that are commonly seen in our homes and offices. Many other studies have been conducted since then to further the list of plants that remove toxins from the air. Plants are also known for reducing the number of allergens in the air. It should be noted that NASAs experiment was conducted in a small airtight space and would be difficult to replicate in full. But in these times, we’ll take all the help we can get!
The American Society for Horticulture conducted a study in 2007 that tested how indoor plants in an office setting effected work related stress, creativity and productivity. In this study researchers found positive outcomes when it came to reduced stress and increased productivity. Not only can plants benefit your workspace, but they may also help with concentration and stress levels in learning settings. A study by the Journal of Environmental Horticulture observed that students in a classroom with plants conducted their assignments 12% faster and with lower stress rates than the students with no plants. Having plants in a classroom not only can help to reduce stress in children but teach them a love for nature and the importance of caring for living things. Hey, they may encourage us all to put the screens down get and our hands dirty!
PS Stay Well, Be Happy
https://meridian.allenpress.com
https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/42/3/article-p581.xml
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663021/
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930073077
http://www.greenfingersproject.com
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4419447/