Welcome back to Siempre Eco.’s Sustainable Saturday!
Over the past few years, Covid-19 lockdowns have mainly prevented us from being able to go out and for nature-lovers, preventing them from traveling and being able to appreciate nature the way they used to!
It can be daunting for some of us to take in new plants because they require care, effort and attention, and can be hard to start getting into. The thing is– you have to treat it like a human! We need all those things too and more, and during a time where it’s more important to take care of our mental health than ever, putting time into self-care is crucial; even if it involves taking care of something else!
Let us convince you to get your own houseplant by proving how they can improve your well-being in this week’s top 5 list!
Purifying Air
If you didn’t expect this one to come first, c’mon, we had to! As you may know already, indoor plants assist with our breathing by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, creating a clean airspace! What you may not also know is that it can also help rid the air of toxins and pollutants (e.g. formaldehyde, benzene, and more). Plants can also add humidity to the air, which definitely helps during those dry and lacking winter months!
Alternatively, poor air quality can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, breathing problems and fatigue. Although those are extreme cases, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Reduces Stress Levels
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious with everyday life. There are all sorts of triggers and anxieties that can interrupt your mental health and routine. Plants may not be a permanent fix, but they can certainly help.
Houseplants have actually been found to reduce physiological and psychological stress. Not to mention your blood pressure! This effect can also make you more productive, but we’ll get to that in the next point.
Check out this article from The Washington Post that contains more information on how human emotions and houseplants are intertwined!
Improve Productivity
It’s true! We do have evidence to back it up, but you can also think about it practically! Having and taking care of houseplants can improve your productivity and routine tasks.
The overall stress reduction and rise in calm and focused behaviour can increase your ability to focus on various tasks and be more productive! It can also promote creativity and help you focus on retaining other task-related memories.
In a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, college students who performed demanding cognitive tasks in an office with greenery had a longer attention span than those who were in an office without plants!
Promotes Healing
Kansas State University found that patients with plants “required less pain medication, had a lower blood pressure and heart rate, and felt less anxiety and fatigue” when recovering after surgery than patients without greenery. Some plants even provide simple physical healing benefits. For example, aloe vera can be used to heal skin irritations, like sunburn! Overall, by surrounding yourself with plants, you can create a natural sanctuary where you can feel safe and protected.
Plants can enhance therapeutic care too. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, this sort of sanctuary can be used in aid of psychological, physical, or even vocational struggles!
Plant Suggestions!
Cactus and Succulents are great for beginners looking for a small commitment. If you want to challenge yourself, here are our picks:
- Jade Plant – Cleanses the air of indoor pollutants from paint and cleaning products
- English IVY – Strips homes of up to 94% of its mold within 12 hours
- Fern – Good for humidifying purposes
- Aloe Vera – Heals simple surface wounds and helps with skin irritations
- Basil – Can help with blood pressure, moods and stress levels
.oOo.
We hope you have an amazing weekend! What are your favourite houseplants? Tell us in the comments below!
- Team Siempre Eco.
