The unsuspected virtues of plants
Are you one of those people for whom the lack of sunshine affects morale? To be done with the blues of winter, there is nothing better than to put greenery in your home! But plants are not only beautiful and colorful, but they can also be healthy allies in your life. Scientific studies have shown that certain species have beneficial effects on our health and our psychological balance. Plants play an essential role in creating a pleasant and healthy environment in which we can move, work or relax.
Plants moisten the air: thanks to their transpiration process, plants emit water vapor. It is sufficiently humid air is necessary to maintain good respiratory health. Winter is harder on our health, as outdoor cold and indoor heating dries out and affects the surrounding air. Dry air will cause respiratory discomfort, dry skin and can lead to headaches and the spread of certain infections. Plants return up to 97% of the irrigation water to the air, thus increasing the humidity in our homes.
Plants purify the air: Because of the gas exchange of plants and the evaporation of their water in their environment, they can help reduce some of these factors:
- the concentration of carbon dioxide,
- the concentrations of pollutants such as benzene and dioxide nitrogen and
- reduce the concentration of dust in the air.
Healthy and well-kept plants can purify the air up to 20%. They act as a filter of the ambient air of our homes.
Plants can isolate background noises: Noise attenuation is one of the least known virtues of plants. Plants can greatly reduce noise pollution inside a building by capturing sound waves with their leaves and sending them back or dispersing them. If one had to choose between a single large plant and several small plants to reduce the sound level, it would be advisable to opt for the second solution to create an acoustic screen. Isolated ambient noise, back and forth from the road or outdoor activities, we can only feel good. This is also one of the benefits of having plants at home: well-being.
Plants are anti-stress allies: A little nature inside: what happiness! These islands of greenery are so many mental pauses in your home. Gardening allows you to focus on something other than your worries and forces you to slow down. Your efforts are paying off, your plants are flourishing and it's a rewarding feeling! The smell of some plants could also have a calming effect on your system or even lower your blood pressure. They can make you more toned or embalm the house with a fresh and relaxing scent.
Plants reduce electromagnetic waves: Many devices emit waves, the effects of which can be dangerous for our health. Placing depolluting plants to fight the waves is a healthy way to reduce their effects. Whether your phones, computers, antennas, light bulbs (...). In the office and at home, many devices emit waves whose effects can be harmful to our health. Succulents, including cactus, could absorb some of these waves and thus reduce the negative effects on our health.
Some plants can cure different sores: The best-known plant for treating various skin conditions is Aloe Vera. Some herbs and plants can make excellent herbal teas and infusions. But do not improvise yourself to be an herbalist. You will seek the professional advice of your doctor or pharmacist before you concoct any kind of herbal home remedy.
Plants increase productivity in the office: According to the Interdisciplinary Federation of Ornamental Horticulture of Quebec, putting indoor plants in a workplace would have beneficial effects on the state of health and well-being of employees. "They help reduce fatigue, stress, coughs, sore throats and headaches, increase employee productivity and concentration, and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Indoor plants can reduce the temperature of a desk and maintain relative humidity in the range of 30 to 60%, which is recommended for health and comfort, "says the organization. The Canadian Horticultural Therapy association has even calculated that the presence of plants in an office increases the productivity of people working on a computer by 12%.
So, many this your new year’s resolution; beautify your home with pretty touches of color and improve your physical and mental health at the same time!