The Health and Well-Being Benefits of Plants and Flowers

Image Source: Interior Warrior

Posted by Dana R. Arevalo

 

Written by Annie L. Dodson

 

 

For millions of people worldwide, gardening outdoors is a major hobby. However, gardens can also be brought indoors to provide many excellent benefits. Plants are beautiful, inexpensive, and valuable additions to any home or office. They are easy to care for and to transport. Flowers and plants offer much more than just aesthetic appeal, they help provide a tranquil and pleasant environment where you can work, move or relax. Here are some top reasons why you should have plants and flowers in your home or office.

 

Cleaner Air

Urban lifestyles are gradually taking people away from enjoying nature. Since we spend a lot of our time indoors, we are at risk of developing Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). This syndrome is often attributed to poor air quality, humidity, inadequate control of humidity and light, and excessive background noise. The level of air pollution is constantly on the rise and poisonous gases emitted from factories, vehicles, and other sources can be harmful to our health. Plants are beneficial to our well being as they remove toxins in the air. They absorb harmful chemicals found inside buildings like formaldehyde (found in grocery bags, cigarette smoke, vinyl, and rugs), trichloroethylene, and benzene (both found in inks, man-made fibers, paint, and solvents). In study settings where printed papers and books abound, benzene is often found in high concentrations. According to NASA Research, interior plants remove up to 87 percent of dangerous organic compounds every 24 hours. These harmful compounds often abound in modern air-tight, climate-controlled buildings. The research discovered that plants cleanse trapped air by pulling harmful compounds into soil, where microorganisms convert them into plant food.

 

Decreased Noise

 

Outdoor plants have been used for a long time to decrease noise on busy roads. Plant leaves and flowers have a lot of surface area which makes them excellent for absorbing noise. When sound hits the plant, it is automatically reduced. Indoor plants help minimize background noise by reflecting or diffracting the noise to create a better living environment. Certain types of plants are extremely good at absorbing high frequencies.

 

Easier Breathing

 

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen while humans breathe oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This opposite pattern makes people and plants natural partners. Plants in interior spaces can boost oxygen levels. When photosynthesis stops at night, most plants respire by absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. However, some plants like succulents, epiphytic bromeliads, and orchids do just the opposite. These plants are excellent for refreshing air at night.

 

Improved Health and Wellbeing

 

A study conducted by Kansas State University showed that plants in hospital rooms sped up the recovery rates of surgical patients. Patients in rooms with plants ask for less pain medication as compared to those in rooms without plants. These patients also have lower blood pressure, heart rates, less fatigue, anxiety, and are often released from the hospital sooner. A workplace study showed that plants in offices decrease colds, fatigue, headaches, sore throat, coughs, and flu-like symptoms. Placing plants in your home or office provides indoor beauty and improves your health. If you don't have interior plants, you can opt for flower delivery.

 

Author Bio:

 

Annie Dodson is a a wellness expert and blogger from Australia. She has been blogging for over five years mainly on topics related to: wellness, health and yoga. She is currently contributing to the marketing department at Flowerbasket. In her spare time Annie enjoys hiking, cooking and spending time with friends.