The Benefits of Indoor Gardening
Plants are known to be a popular aesthetic embellishment that makes any home look brighter.
However, when you add a houseplant, you’re not just making your house look better but also receiving numerous benefits to your overall health and air in your home. Not only are there tons of pollutants outside, but there are also harsh pollutants in our indoor air. Fortunately, having a house plant can work as a natural filter to combat indoor pollution. Besides acting as a natural filter, it’s science-backed and proven to improve our mental and physical health.
Now, don’t be too intimidated by the task of caring for your plant babies. There are many houseplants to choose from, and some of those would be quite difficult to kill. Once you own these houseplants, you’ll discover that the routine of watering and feeding the plants can be very soothing and relaxing.
Let’s dive into these benefits
Reduces Stress Levels
The addition of taking care of your plants routinely can reduce stress levels. Compared to the more mundane activities and chores part of your daily routine, repotting a plant or watering and feeding plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress. Working with your plants can feel therapeutic and comforting especially with those experiencing depression, anxiety, and dementia, just to name a few.
Boosts Productivity
It’s very easy to feel lazy and unproductive being cooped up at home. However, studies have shown that plants in the office/workspace can increase productivity and creativity. This is also because it reduces stress levels that lead us to be more productive and motivated.
Not only does it boost our work performance but it can even improve our satisfaction during work. Being able to be surrounded and have a nicer view of our plants can help us feel happier about our job and more focused and committed to our duties. The natural environment can ease stress by creating some type of barrier of the effects from our job.
Gives Immune System a Boost
Amazingly, plants can make it easier to fight off viruses. As mental health is correlated to our physical health, lower stress levels can naturally benefit our immune health. The plants release positive chemicals that support our immune system and help in fighting off illnesses. Hence the reasoning for bringing plants into a hospital room of someone recovering. The patient being able to be in that environment and look at the plants have been proven to recover quicker.
Purifies the Air
Instead of spending money on air filters, go the inexpensive route of using houseplants to clean the air. Indoor pollution is actually two to five times higher than outside pollution. We spend a majority of our time inside our homes especially now during the pandemic. The air becomes polluted with dust, pollen, animal dander, and smoke, as well as gases that are not healthy to breathe in all day every day.
Luckily, science shows that plants can scrub contaminants from the air. Plants release water vapor into the air, increasing humidity, which improves skin and respiratory health. Humidity from the plants can help retain that moisture that is typically dried out by the indoor heating and cooling systems. The plants also help in preventing headaches and allergies.
Here’s a list of plants that can improve air quality…
Areca Palm - filters out harsh chemicals like acetone, xylene, and toluene that derive from products such as nail varnish, detergents, wooden furniture, poor ventilation, gasoline, and cosmetics.
Philodendron - cleanses the air by removing formaldehyde that comes from building materials and home furnishing.
Rubber Plant - improves air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and converting it into oxygen by using their large surface levels as a sponge for harsh chemicals.
Aloe Vera - a favorite of house plants, aloe vera is packed with vitamins and acts as a natural anti-bacterial. Not only does it benefit the skin, but it can also purify the air and reduce toxic chemicals that are often found in cleaning products.
Spider Plant - rids the home of harsh chemicals like ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene that is typically found in cleaning products and furniture. Studies have shown that the spider plant can remove up to 90% of toxins found indoors.
Go out there and begin your plant journey! Improve your indoor experience by making it more aesthetically pleasing with plants and also improving the air you breathe in. Loving plants will make them show some love back to health.