We all know houseplants are pretty to look at, but did you know they offer health and wellness benefits as well? Having houseplants can help you live a more healthy and happy life. Find out how below.
Houseplants improve indoor air quality
Plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen as part of the photosynthesis process. They can help clean the air by filtering out gases and other household pollutants. In a 1989 NASA Clean Air Study it was determined that approximately 15 to 18 houseplants (planted in six- to eight-inch containers) would improve the air quality in an average 1,800-square-foot home. If you don’t have that many, don’t stress, as you can always add more, and every plant helps. Here are some popular houseplants that excel in helping provide better air quality inside your home:
- Peace lily
- African violets
- Ivy
- Bamboo
- Spider plant
- Weeping fig
- Various ferns and palms
Feel closer to nature while indoors
Because we spend so much time indoors, due to work, taking care of children, etc., we often miss out on the serenity that greenery and colorful flowers can bring to our lives. By having plants indoors, especially on our desk at the office or in the kitchen if you spend a lot of time cooking, we can access the relaxing benefits of the outdoors brought inside. Plants can be calming and provide a lovely distraction during times of stress or tension. Studies show that plants are effective in helping recover from illness and actually can speed recovery time. Plants contribute to a feeling of well-being and comfort that benefit everyone’s daily life.
Make us feel needed
Having plants to love and nurture gives us something to take care of (that can’t talk back), which can enrich our lives. If you purchase a flowering plant that currently has no buds on it, you can make a goal of giving it care and attention with fertilizer and water so it can grow flowers. Many people, especially those without children or pets or that live alone, find comfort in the care and nurturing of both indoor and outdoor plants. To provide a happy environment for plants and flowers helps people to feel fulfilled and needed — simple pleasures we all want and need.
Does a body good
Plants also can help reduce headaches because they help eliminate stuffy air; homes with many indoor plants can even help reduce high blood pressure. Plants are natural humidifiers as well, so keep a few in your bedroom in colder months when the heat is running. Another reason to keep them in your bedroom is for a better night’s rest. How? They have been shown to help reduce background noise, so if you live by a highway or busy through street, certain plants are definitely a must have for your abode.
Even you don’t have a green thumb you can still enjoy the many benefits of having a home filled with leafy green and/or vivid flowering blooms. Many varieties of indoor plants don’t require a lot of upkeep or attention. So make it a priority to pick out plants that suit your home and lifestyle. You will reap the benefits you sow every day with indoor plants!
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