1. Boost Mood and Calm

Research published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology in 2015 found that indoor plants can make you feel more comfortable and soothing. Specifically the study found that an indoor gardening task such as repotting a house plant lowered stress response. In contrast, a computer task project caused a spike in heart rate and blood pressure even though participants were young men who were very experienced with computer work. Researchers concluded that indoor plants help reduce physiological and psychological stress. Horticulture therapy has been around for many centuries. A story published on the Manchester England website discussed the benefits of doctors prescribing plant therapy to patients with symptoms of depression or anxiety. So with remote work here to stay, we can follow the example of Manchester, England, and use horticulture therapy to help us thrive better in our home offices.

2. Sharpen Attention and Focus

In a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research on Public Health in 2019, researchers found that having real plants in study spaces helps students be more attentive and concentrate better. Brain scans of participants in the study showed that the students who studied with live plants were more attentive and better able to concentrate than students without a real plant. But importantly, it must be be a real plant, not a fake plant or photo of a plant. So a bromeliad may be one of the best study aids to put in your workspace to help increase focus and attention.

3. Improve Productivity and Creativity

Many studies have found that plants in the workspace increase both productivity and creativity. One study frequently cited is a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Horticulture in 1996. The study found the people working in a computer lab  12% faster and were less stressed when there was a live plant nearby. In another study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology in 2004, researchers challenged students to make creative word associations. The scientific evidence supports that having alive indoor plant in a workspace can improve productivity and creativity. So putting a plant near your study or work space can help increase your creativity and productivity.

4. Improve Brain Health

Many studies have shown that surrounding yourself with greenery and house plants can improve the white and gray matter in your brain. A recent article in the International Journal of Environmental Horticulture found that plants have far reaching benefits for mental health, including reduced anxiety and stress, decreased depression, enhanced memory retention, increased creativity, and improved self-esteem. Being around plant life, whether indoors or outdoors, can help improve our psychological and cognitive well being, which may help to more happiness and life satisfaction.

Thrive More with Indoor Plants

There are many self-care ways to fight the negative impact of the pandemic and adjust to more remote working. One of the simplest, proven ways to thrive more is to add indoor plants to your remote workspace. Imagine a bookshelf with a cute family of plant friends that makes you smile. Or imagine a favorite plant friend always near your computer workspace, helping you stay calm and focused. Or imagine a big, beautiful plant in the corner of your room oozing feel-good positive vibes.

Easy Solutions to Order Plants Online

In today’s remote work environment, there is a lot more shopping online, even for house plants. You can view plants, make your selections, purchase with a credit card, and have them shipped directly to your home. Most online retailers package the plants in protective layers and use expedited shipping to ensure safe arrival. One of my favorite online plant retailers is called The Sill. You can sign up for their newsletter and get discounts and tips and even sign up for a monthly plant purchase plan.  You can also enjoy browsing for plants at  your local plant nursery shop. My favorite local plant therapy store in Fort Worth is called Grow Plant Shop which also provides online shopping

Believe in the power of plants to help you thrive more.  Have fun browsing plants online or at your local nursery and treat yourself to a new plant buddy today.

Live Well with Zest!

Cheers,

Bev

The post Benefits of House Plants for Remote Working appeared first on Well with Zest.

Ever since I had my first apartment, I’ve thought of house plants as friends or peaceful “roommates”. They filled an empty corner, added life to a room, accented the space with color and textures. House plants have always brought me beauty and joy and have always been an essential part of any room where I spend much time— either at home or at work.

While plants are beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, they also have numerous health benefits and serve many functional purposes too. They have many surprising benefits from helping us relax, adding humidity to the air, recycling carbon dioxide and more. Here’s more:

House Plants are Nature’s Ventilators

Did you know that incorporating house plants into your home or office can help combat what is referred to as “sick building syndrome.”?  That occurs when your indoor environment releases contaminants. These bad elements enter the air from carpets, copy machines, and a wide range of other sources. If the space isn’t ventilated well, then the contaminants can add up and cause health problems. The negative impacts can be sinus irritation, skin problems, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. But fortunately, house plants are natural ventilators. Adding plants to these areas can help cleanse the interior environment, reduce toxins being released, and the significantly lessen the risk of experiencing health-related issues.

Choose the Right House Plants

Choosing the right plants is essential— the ones that bring benefits and don’t add to any stress from their maintenance. Pick plants that will thrive when they’re living indoors in your climate. Select plants that do well living in warmer temperatures and don’t require a significant amount of sunlight. Under most circumstances, tropical plants including dracaenas, evergreens, peace lilies, and philodendrons do well in indoor environments.

House Plants that Support Your Health

• Aloe Vera: soothes sunburn and minor skin wounds
• Boston Fern removes indoor airborne pollutants
• Garden Mum: purifies the air
• Lavender and Jasmine: helps induce tranquility
• Spider Plant: removes xylene and formaldehyde from the air

Wellness Benefits of House Plants

My favorite benefits from house plants, besides bringing me beauty and joy, are helping me breath better air and feel relaxed. When you add indoor plants to your home or office, you are breathing better air. This is because many plants remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air. For example, the bromeliad plant is known for eliminating over 80% of six volatile compounds during a 12-hour time frame. Another plant, the Dracaena, will remove up to 94% of acetone from the air. Plants also reduce noise while simultaneously adding comfort by increasing the humidity in the air. They help reduce our stress and improve the environment’s sense of calmness.

I’ve learned a lot about the benefits of house plants since living in my first apartment. But my instincts were right— plants are good for us.  Add plants to your indoor spaces. They will be good “roommates” and help you live live well with zest!

Live Well with Zest!

Bev xo

Written by Bev Hope

The post Benefits of Living with House Plants appeared first on Well with Zest.