The Health and Well-Being Benefits of Plants and Flowers
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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.
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