Plants, both indoor and outdoor, don’t just benefit the environment but have been shown to have both mental and physical benefits as well. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to acknowledge that plants are living organisms, but they far too often are overlooked in the concrete jungles of human civilization. Plants interact with the human body, mind, spirit, and overall home that can ultimately enhance the quality of life.
The act of incorporating plant life into your home or landscaping is a primal and beautiful covenant. While it varies from species to species, plants around the house, require care and nurture from you in some aspect. Whether it’s having proper irrigation to your shrubs and perennials outside or identifying the optimal location in your home to ensure your plants are getting the appropriate amount of sunlight.
As the plants thrive due to this special relationship, it’s possible to experience several health benefits, a few of which are outlined below:
1. Stress
Many people, especially Americans, are in a constant flow of information and demands, fueled by modern communications via the internet as well as their professions. As such, stress levels can easily remain high.
Studies have actually shown that plants help reduce anxiety, stress, and fatigue. If you haven’t found an ideal outlet to burn off all the physical stress or simply don’t have time in your demanding schedule, try incorporating plants into the environment where you spend the most time. This could either be your bedroom, living room or, more likely, your office.
2. Air
With pollutants fueling climate change, plants, now more than ever, are a critical aspect of any urban landscape. If you recall biology class, plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and thus help purify the air for humans and animals alike.
In addition to cleaner air, a well-designed yard that incorporates both trees and grass into its landscaping can reduce air temperatures and keep you feeling physically comfortable in the summer heat.
3. Mental Health
If you have a history of anxiety or depression, nature, and on a smaller scale, plants around the home can help you feel more optimistic and happy.
From an evolution standpoint, humans have not been away from their natural habitat for that long. As a result, our biological makeup has not had a chance to adjust to the buzz of the city, which can hurt our mental wellbeing.
A nature excursion, full of green life-forms along with the higher levels of oxygen, can instantly have a positive effect on your mind. However, if you find it difficult to escape to the great outdoors, try replicating the results through plants that you have a genuine connection to. Spend time at your local nursery and see what works for you.
Conclusion
Incorporating plants into your home and lifestyle may seem like hogwash, but it truly can help you live a fuller and better life. The benefits listed above are only a few of the positive aspects. In fact, if you take the time to properly invest in plants where you spend the majority of your time, you’ll soon take notice of all the positive effects that have compounded to help you feel better both physically and mentally.