3 Major Benefits of Bringing Nature Inside
Posted by Daniella Cippitelli on
We talk about plant-based foods and supplements all the time, but let’s shift gears a bit and take a quick look at the benefits of keeping plants in the house. Did you know they are not just pretty decorations? Plants have several health benefits.
Summer is the perfect time to stroll through those garden centers and bring home a few delights. Don’t just stop at treasures for the patio, grab some plants suitable for indoors, decorative pots that you love and enjoy the benefits nature has to offer in your surroundings. Here are a couple of the most popular plants you can find in almost any big box store or your local nursery.
Mood Boosting
Studies have shown that even indoors, when we’re surrounded by plants, we feel a greater sense of well-being. When we take care of plants, it gives us a sense of nurturing something. We water and fertilize it, watch it grow, eventually need to re-pot them. This all gives a sense of pride and accomplishment adding to our sense of purpose and helps relieve stress. And yes, some of us do talk to our plants, they seem to like it.
Employees who work in offices with plants tend to be more satisfied during the work day, it also helps inspire creativity.
Air Purifiers
This is a big one that many people don’t know about indoor plants. Did you know that many types of house plants can actually help purify the air? Carpets, cleaners, printer inks, even air fresheners can give off pollutants into the air called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
These pollutants can aggravate allergies and even effect breathing. By keeping air purifying house plants into your décor you can reduce the amount of VOCs floating around in your air.
One study showed that the Dracaena plant removed 94 percent of acetone (found in nail polish remover) from the air in a 12-hour period.
Some popular species of air purifiers include:
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English Ivy
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Areca Palm
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Peace Lilly
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Spider Plant
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Snake Plant
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Dracaena Marginata
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Boston Fern
Sleep Soundly
We all know plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen, thanks third-grade science, but some plants, like the Gerbera Daisy gives off oxygen even after the sun goes down. Since plants have a calming effect on people, keeping a few plants in the bedroom may help aid in getting a good night’s sleep. Plants also add to the moisture in the air which in dryer climates can help aid a restful sleep.
Now that you see just a handful of the benefits house plants can have on your environment, grab yourself a few. Enjoy not only how the spruce up your surroundings but take in a deep breath and smile knowing there’s a lot going on beneath the surface.
Happy plant parenting!