Could your home or office be making you ill?
That’s one question researchers, such as those at NASA, have been looking into. Sick Building Syndrome is a temporary sickness most of us will experience at some point in life. If you spend a long period of time in a poorly ventilated building, indoor air toxins can begin to build up. This can lead to symptoms of fatigue, nausea, vision problems and memory loss.
But don’t panic! There is a simple and affordable solution that can help filter out the harmful build-up of chemicals. You just have to get a little closer to nature.
Plants are nature’s best form of defence against substances that can overload our immune systems, negatively impacting our well-being. Read on to find out just how beneficial indoor plants can be to your health, mind and body.
Air Quality
Even if you don’t smoke at home, you will be surprised at how polluted indoor air can actually become. The combination of cleaning products, paints and even air fresheners add to the toxicity. Plants, through photosynthesis, convert all these nasty compounds into oxygen and food, minimising poor air quality in general. It is also great for your carbon footprint as plants filter out carbon levels during this process.
Formaldehyde (also used to embalm dead bodies!) is a common indoor vapour that can cause respiratory and neurological problems according to the Environmental Protection Agency and is also a know carcinogen. House plants have been shown to remove such chemicals.
Our very own English Ivy has been ranked as the best air purifier by NASA which is great as they are very low maintenance and adaptable. You can hang them ominously over shelves or have it as a floor plant – it’s entirely up to you. Bamboo palms and rubber plants are also great for those of us who aren’t blessed with green thumbs.
Healing Properties
Plants can also be beneficial for cuts and burns as well as being good to your lungs! The aloe plant (Aloe Vera) is easy to grow and loves the sun – perfect to place on a window sill. The gel inside can help heal scrapes and burns, making it a smart choice for your home.
Plants have also been shown to control humidity in a room to a level that is beneficial to human health. If humidity levels are too low, viral infections can develop. If it’s too high, you will become more susceptible to other diseases. House plants help to keep these levels in check.
Feel-Good Effect
Not only do house plants influence you physically, but they also have a positive impact psychologically. There is a wealth of research to support the statement that plants increase positivity and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and anger. It could be the fresh supply of oxygen, the cool greenness, or taking care of something that make no demands of you! Either way, plants just make you feel fine.
Aesthetic Appeal
Let’s be honest, plants look good. They help to create a more relaxing atmosphere and brighten up any room. This helps to improve mood and concentration levels and is exactly why many offices are stocking up with these affordable little green gems.
You can use vibrant, beautiful flowers like the Gerber daisy to remove certain toxins and brighten up your home. Just be sure to expose it to plenty of sunshine.
For more information on health-friendly house plants, take a look at The Huffington Post’s wonderful list of suggestions of the best plants that will be able to thrive indoors. Now get to your local garden centre and connect with nature! It could make all the difference to your health and well-being.
Do you have any top plant tips for the healthiest greenery to brighten up your home? Let us know in the comments section.
