Plants are Good for Mind and Body
There’s so much more to houseplants than their beauty. The fact is, they can actually make you healthier and happier. During the day, during photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, freshening the air you breathe.
At night, most plants respire like people do — they pull in oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide. But there are a few plants, like orchids, succulents, bromeliads and Areca palms, that do just the opposite and emit oxygen at night. That’s why these types of plants are ideal for bedrooms.
How Plants Improve your Health
Besides increasing oxygen levels, plants improve your health in a number of other ways:
- Plants serve as natural air purifiers, pulling harmful toxins, like formaldehyde and benzene, from the environment.
- Plants release the moisture they take in, increasing humidity in the air, which helps prevent respiratory illness and reduce the incidence of dry coughs, colds, sore throats and dry skin.
- Plants in hospital rooms have been found to speed the recovery rates of surgical patients, lower blood pressure and decrease anxiety.
Additional Benefits
- Plants in the office have been linked to fewer cold- and flu-related symptoms and reduced fatigue.
- Plants in the classroom have been found to increase the attentiveness of students by 70 percent.
- Taking care of plants can make you happier because it’s rewarding and provides a sense of purpose.
A few tips:
Don’t overwater your plants. It’s much easier to revive them when they’re under-watered. Also, don’t put your plants in direct sunlight, which can cause spotting, burning or the leaves to fall off. When you do see the ends of the leaves turning brown, trim them. This will help your plants grow healthier and stronger.
