Jasmine I love you!
The Power of Green: Heal Your Environment, Heal Your Emotions
While most people purchase house plants based on their colors, style and overall aesthetic, there are deeper benefits that go far beyond the surface. House plants are scientifically proven to enhance your overall well-being, decrease stress and anxiety- all while improving your mood. We spend hours upon hours in our home, why not make it a peaceful oasis?
What can your houseplants do beyond making the room look better:
Dramatically Improve Air Quality
Air quality within your home can be more polluted than air outside. This is shocking, considering there are many pollutants and toxins in the air, especially in urban areas. The most potent indoor pollutants are mold, radon, asbestos, carbon monoxide and benzene. Continued exposure to these toxins can cause mental fog, headaches and dry eyes.
These toxins can worsen preexisting conditions such as asthma. House plants are designed to absorb and neutralize these toxins and purify the air naturally.
Natural Humidifier
The leaves of house plants naturally release moisture in a process known as "transpiration." This is the perfect solution for dry indoor air quality, especially during the winter. The added moisture makes it easier to breathe and enhances skin quality.
Keep You Creative
House plants keep you creative and alert. We all know the importance of keeping a sharp mind as we age. By placing various house plants in your home, you actually improve your cognitive skills. A study by Texas A&M University discovered plants and flowers in your home improve your natural ability to problem-solve and create.
Another study by Exeter University in the United Kingdom found indoor plants improved productivity and concentration in the workplace. Not only are these plants perfect for your home, they are even beneficial for your office.
They Heal You
Keeping house plants around you improves your well-being, keeps you calm and in fact heals injuries quicker. According to a study by Kansas State University, indoor plants and flowers can be used as inexpensive, complimentary treatment/ medicine for surgical patients.
This type of therapy is known as horticulture therapy and has been shown to significantly benefit patients in various health care facilities.
Reduce Anxiety and Stress
House plants dramatically improve your mood by reducing anxiety and stress. The smells that emanate from plants can actually reduce psychological stress. Secondly, the soil itself contains compounds known as outdoorphins. These are microbes that function as natural anti-depressants. Your mood is boosted due to the release of cytokines which allows your brain to produce more serotonin.
When you are around certain plants, your mood is boosted from the outdoorphins automatically. Plants have the unique ability to create positive changes in the brain, muscles and heart. In addition to all of these benefits, house plants also help you sleep better when placed in your bedroom.
The Most Beneficial House Plants to Buy
These benefits are impressive and are easily attained by just having a few plants strategically placed around the home. The following plants are some of most beneficial ones you can purchase and they are easy to manage, simple to care for and keep your home healthy and peaceful.
Spider Plants
Spider plants are one of the most effective solutions for removing various toxins such as formaldehyde. Spider plants can help with stress/ anxiety due to their calming effects and natural ability to remove toxins that clog our senses. These types of toxins are introduced to your home through waxed papers, paper towels, particle board and synthetic fabrics.
Spider plants also filter out carbon monoxide.
This type of plant is ideal for a beginner who does not have experience taking care of a plant. They can thrive in areas with low sunlight. They do not like to be in direct sunlight. They are versatile and can grow in any type of soil. They only require water every now and then and as long as the plant is moist, you are guaranteed to keep it alive.
Peace Lily
Aside from their beautiful name and look, peace lilies are a powerful purifier, removing air toxins and pollutants. They are effective for removing a variety of toxins including formaldehyde, xylene, ammonia and benzene. Also, the peace lily features a relaxing floral scent, improving your mood and reducing stress/ anxiety.
Their look is aesthetically-pleasing for any room in your home. They thrive best with all-purpose soil and prefer to be kept moist all year. Make sure not to overwater these beauties and do give them just enough sunlight. They can handle varying levels of sunlight, but prefer the shaded areas of your home.
Lavender
The lavender plant is extremely gentle and pleasant. This is one of the strongest plants for mental benefits- providing a dramatic reduction of stress/ anxiety. Lavender is so effective at reducing stress/ anxiety, it is used in countless spas around the world, even making its way into skincare treatments, candles, soaps and bath salts.
Lavender can easily compliment any room of your home, however placing this healing plant in your bedroom works wonders. They are shown to improve sleep quality, soothe anxiety, insomnia and restlessness. Lavender thrives in well-drained soil and loves lots of sunlight. They also require watering that penetrates deep, however it is important they are not overwatered. When the soil feels almost dry, it's time to water your lavender plant.
Jasmine
Besides smelling good, this plant has been shown to improve your mental health and your overall mood. Scientists in Germany studied the effects of Jasmine on mice and they showed the mice exposed to Jasmine had significantly lower levels of activity and were calmer and less agitated.
Later on, in brain studies it was shown that they exhibited higher levels of Gaba. These findings were published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry where they stated that this may be considered evidence of a scientific basis for aromatherapy. Other studies have shown that Jasmine improves sleep quality and efficiency.
Place Jasmine plants in a sunny window with direct sunlight and water a few times a week.
As you can see, house plants are a simple, inexpensive and natural way to reduce stress and anxiety, improve air quality, skin quality, mood and sleep rhythm. Placing one or more of these plants in your home facilitates healing on all levels and truly helps you live a more productive, peaceful life.