Indoor plants don’t just look good, they make us feel good mentally and physically, too.
Studies have shown indoor plants:
Boost mood, productivity, concentration and creativity
Reduce stress, fatigue, sore throats and colds
Clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity and producing oxygen
Add life to a sterile office, give privacy and reduce noise levels
Are therapeutic and cheaper than a therapist
Plants Against Pollution
Pollution levels on the planet earth are on the rise. If you live in a busy, dense city, you encounter pollution everyday. It wreaks havoc on our skin, our hair and most of all, the air we breathe. Pollution is not just outside. It’s in the places we call ‘work’ and ‘home’.
Sick Building Syndrome is a term used to describe symptoms experienced by otherwise healthy people working in large commercial buildings -- think sudden allergies; irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headache, dizziness, and fatigue; respiratory and sinus congestion; and nervous system disorders.
In 1989, Dr. Bill Wolverton, a leading scientist in NASA’s Clean Air Study revealed, “when the building occupants are away for a given time, the symptoms usually diminish, only to recur upon re-entry into the building.”
The cause? Indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution is generally a consequence of toxic emissions from synthetic building materials, airborne mold, viruses, and pollutants, along with energy efficient construction, like making spaces as airtight as possible, which reduces the air circulation. These contributors release toxin emissions such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
Gross, right?
It’s not just big commercial buildings either. These compounds can be found in almost every home. Not great news when the Environmental Protection Agency estimates Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.
Most wall paints, rubbers, vinyl, laminates, computer parts and plastics all break down over time and release compounds into the air we breathe. The good news is, we can improve our indoor air quality with plants. Plants absorb harmful toxins, breaking them down into gentle byproducts, and storing them in their soil to use later for food.
Back to Nature
When you feel a little low, it’s amazing how a walk in the park can do wonders. That’s because when we get in touch with nature, we reduce mental fatigue and stress, while increasing relaxation and self-esteem. Even brief exposure to nature has been shown to make us more altruistic and cooperative. This study shows touching real foliage elicits an unconscious calming effect. Other studies like the lean vs green study show where indoor plants are present, work performance increases, staff well-being improves and employees take less sick days.
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