3 Positive Plant Powers!

Plants aren’t just pretty to look at! There are many reasons to have plants in and around your home, and many benefits to being surrounded by as much greenery as possible. Here are 3 ways that plants can improve your well-being, your health and your surroundings:
 

Connect with Nature

 

grassy clearing in forest bathed in sunlight
 
Taking care of plants can be a reminder to care for our environment, the people around us, and ourselves! It’s easy to feel disconnected from the outside world and from nature living in a big city, especially if we spend most of our time in condos or apartment buildings. Adding some greenery to our space, and maintaining the mutually beneficial relationship between us and our plants helps us to connect with the natural world and reminds us of our place in nature. Creating this connection and compassion for something natural increases our appreciation for nature. It also increases our compassion for all of the other living things around us, including our friends, family and all of the people in our lives. 
                                                        

Calm your Nervous System

 
pink orchid and fern plants on desk with computer
Being out in nature, or even just having a couple of houseplants around has a calming effect on us. A great, easy way to reduce the stress of daily life, and to make your living spaces or home office more calming, is by adding a few plants! Studies show that having plants around reduces both mental and physical stress, and can have a calming effect on the nervous system. A great, simple way to reduce your office stress levels and add some excitement to your surroundings is by adding a plant to your desk. Taking the time to care for, or just to look at your plants whenever you feel stressed has been proven to have a calming effect, and to reduce anxiety levels. 
 

Breathe Easier

monstera and other air purifying plants in the sunlight

 
When you care for plants, they make sure to take care of you! In return for sunlight, water and a little love, your plants clean the air and provide you with oxygen. And they look great while they do it! Many plants have been studied for their air purifying abilities, and have been proven to absorb toxins. These toxins and chemicals can be harmful to humans, but won’t hurt your plants, which are more than happy to clean your air for you. The air quality in condos, apartment buildings and other urban spaces isn’t always ideal, and can easily become stale and dry. Having plenty of plants around will freshen the air, and increase the humidity, which is good for you, and good for the plants! The more plants you have in your home, the higher the humidity and the more air purifying power. So having an interior urban jungle looks great, and is good for you!