Plants are integral to life. They do so much more than provide us with oxygen! In this article we will take a look at how plants can help us to practice mindfulness. In a world where people spend more and more of their time indoors working on computers or attending meetings (or attending meetings on their computers), it’s important to create an environment that is conducive to good health and productivity. One way to achieve this is by adding plants to your home and workplace. Let’s take a look at these 9 facts that everyone should know about plants!
1. They Purify the Air
We will start with the obvious one that comes to mind for most people. Indoor air pollution can be a real problem, especially in many workplaces. The chemicals released from furniture, carpets, paint and cleaning products can cause headaches and respiratory problems. Plants are natural air purifiers that absorb toxins like formaldehyde and benzene while releasing fresh oxygen into the air.
2. They Relieve Stress
The presence of greenery has been shown to reduce stress levels. Studies have found that simply looking at plants can lower blood pressure and heart rate while increasing feelings of calmness.
3. They Boost Your Immune System
Plants release negative ions which reduce internal stress and strengthen the immune system. The humidity created by indoor plants also helps to prevent dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs by keeping mucous membranes moist which makes them less susceptible to infection.
4. They Improve Your Mental Health
With the combination of benefits from reduced stress and increased oxygen, plants improve your mental health. A study done at Washington State University showed that when plants were added to workspaces there was a 70% reduction in sick leave due to depression or anxiety related illnesses over six months compared with those without plants.
5. They Improve Your Physical Health
The presence of indoor plants has also been linked with reducing eye strain, headaches and fatigue. The calming effects plants have on our nervous system help us feel less stressed and more energized throughout the day.
6. They Increase Your Productivity
It seems like everything about plants help us to create a mindful experience. Research has shown that the presence of plants in the workplace can increase productivity by up to 15%. This is because they help to reduce distractions and create a calmer, more relaxed environment which allows employees to focus on their work better.
7. Plants in the Workplace Can Improve Employee Satisfaction
In addition to improving health and productivity levels, adding plants to your workspace can also improve employee satisfaction. When employees feel good about their surroundings, they are more likely to be happy at work and stay with their company for longer periods of time. Keep plants in mind for your list of tools for reducing stress in the workplace.
8. Plants Are Alive and Constantly Communicating
Another benefit of having plants in your workspace is that they are alive! Not only do they communicate with each other, but plants are constantly sending out electrical and chemical signals. A part of this electrochemical communication is through changes in color or texture making them an interesting addition that adds life into any space! Plants even have the ability to teach each other how to make different types of signals – meaning plants can teach each other how to make different molecules. So respect plants and the environment, or they might start turning against us!
9. Plants Bring us Back to Nature (Or Bring Nature to Us)
Plants remind us of nature. This plays a huge part in regulating our nervous system. White lights, angled corners, and straight hallways of most buildings are inherently stressful. Most people have become accustomed to these things, but nature does not usually move in straight lines. Witnessing plants’ colors and unique shapes helps to break the monotony and eeriness of the man-made world. This is likely why they help to reduce stress and induce a feeling of calm.
Conclusion
There we have it – 9 Reasons to pay more attention and respect to plants. They can improve any space and help to reduce stress, purify the air, increases productivity, and improves overall health and wellness. With all these benefits to be gained from adding plants to your home or workspace, consider adding some greenery!
How To Add Plants To Your Space
- Choose how and where you want to place your plants (hanging, at the end of a hallway, integrated with other fixtures, etc)
- Determine what kind of lighting you have available (natural light or artificial)
- Select appropriate plants based on lighting conditions
- Create a watering schedule
- Add fertilizer as needed
- Clean leaves regularly
- Enjoy!
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