If you walk into many homes across the country, you will often be greeted by some lovely flowers or houseplants. These can be found at a local store, or even ordered online through something like a flower subscription. Flowers and plants can brighten up a space, help it appear more aesthetic, and even fill it with a pleasant scent.
But in addition to these fun and unique houseplants improving the look of your home, they can also provide a boost to your health. With that in mind, this blog post is going to take a closer look at some of the many health benefits of having houseplants in your home.
They Can Improve Your Mood
First and foremost, having houseplants can provide a boost to your mood. Having plants around can make a home more peaceful and serene, and often remind us of the outdoors and being free in nature. Exploring the outdoors can be very calming and instantly put a smile on our faces, and having plants around works in a similar way.
Plants make a space more visually appealing, and it is hard not to smile when sharing a room with a beautiful bouquet of flowers or a plant that is thriving on your window sill or table. There are many helpful tips out there to help you improve your mental health, but oftentimes, something as simple as brightening up your space with a lovely plant or flower can do the trick.
Houseplants Can Help Lower Stress and Anxiety
Today, most of us lead very hectic and busy lives. Between work, relationships, and other responsibilities, people hardly have any time left for themselves. Constantly being so busy can have a negative impact on our stress and anxiety levels. If you need some assistance when it comes to lowering this stress and reducing anxiety, consider introducing some plants or flowers into your home.
Having flowers and/or plants in your home has been proven to help people feel more comfortable and soothed, which is just what many people need in their lives right now. Plants and flowers simply exist, there are no loud noises, movement, or other things that could cause sensory overload and stress.
They just sit quietly, grow, and look pretty. They are about as peaceful as it comes, and sharing your home with something so peaceful is sure to help you feel less stress.
They Can Boost Your Indoor Air Quality
The indoor air quality in many homes is abysmal. There are many sources of indoor air pollution and many households don’t do anything to address them. Poor indoor air quality can lead to headaches, coughing, sneezing, congestion, nausea and so much more.
Having plants can provide a helpful boost to your indoor air quality. Many plants can reduce indoor pollutants, and also reduce harmful chemicals in the air, such as formaldehyde.
While using air purifiers or opening windows can work, having plants in your home is a way to help improve the issue while also helping your home look fantastic. Of course, not all plants can help clean and purify your indoor air, so do your homework beforehand to make sure to choose the right one.
Indoor Gardening Can be Therapeutic
The actual act of caring for your houseplants can also provide health benefits. In particular, it has therapeutic properties and can increase the feelings of well-being in those who suffer from depression, dementia, and many other conditions/ailments.
Indoor gardening is a responsibility, but one that can actually help people de-stress and relax, as opposed to becoming more anxious. The act of watering plants, trimming their leaves or stems, and choosing the right place to put them can all be enjoyable experiences. Caring for plants and watching them thrive can also give feelings of accomplishment and pride.
Of course, make sure the plants you decide to plant and grow are ones you feel comfortable with. While many plants are easy and simple to grow, others take a lot more work and effort. Also, if you have pets or children, watch out for plants that are toxic if consumed.
Plants Can Add Humidity to Your Home
Another major health benefit of houseplants is that they can add humidity to your home. If the air in your home is too dry, it can irritate your skin, dry out your skin, dry out your mouth, and even cause lung irritation. As a result, your body needs moisture in the air, and plants can be a major help in that department.
In fact, plants end up releasing a large portion of the water that they take in, and can help boost the humidity in your home on those dry winter days. These plants can be added to your bedroom, living room, kitchen or anywhere else that you feel the air is a little dry and harsh, to make the space more comfortable.
While you can go out and buy a humidifier, they can be expensive and will cause your electricity bill to increase
Houseplants Can Improve Your Productivity and Focus
While not specifically a health benefit, the fact that houseplants can improve your productivity and focus is a major bonus to most people. If you have plants or flowers around your office or workspace, it will motivate you throughout the day and keep us inspired. If you don’t love the place you work and aren’t stimulated by your surroundings, you might find it hard to focus and/or have enough energy to do a good job.
In addition to working more efficiently and productively, having plants around your workspace can often put you in a better mood and make you happier and more engaged throughout your workday, too.
As you can see, there are several different health benefits of having houseplants in your home. With all the benefits they provide, and how beautiful and affordable they are, there is no reason not to have plants in your home.