We all feel a bit wound up sometimes and in these ever stressful times, a little relief is sometimes necessary. Luckily we have only to look to nature for the solution. It seems in many cases the first steps to a more zen environment are a few simple houseplants as many of these green, stoic stalwarts of the home have amazing anti-anxiety effects.
Why houseplants are great for soothing anxiety
Numerous scientific studies have shown that, among many things, houseplants are great for clearing the air inside buildings. For one thing, it’s well-known houseplants can give you a literal breath of fresh air as they produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. That’s not all, however. A few plants around the home (or office) can also be highly helpful to a person’s well-being in the following ways:
- Better focus
- Improved mood
- Raised productivity and creativity
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased well-being
- Faster reaction times
What are some of the plants with the best anti-anxiety effects
Lavender
As if Lavender wasn’t lovely enough already, it’s also a great companion to bring calm into your home. Lavender’s strength isn’t only its colour (which is still a very decent strength) but its scent. Lavender oil has shown promise in its treatment of anxiety and depression in studies and can really help with short-term relief from stress and worry.
Chrysanthemums
Cheery chrysanthemums are a beautiful treat in a bouquet but in a pot, they are much more powerful. Like many other entries on this list, they are experts at improving the air around them. In this case, chrysanthemums are able to remove ammonia, toluene and formaldehyde. Not to mention of course their colours go some way to improving moods everywhere.
Jasmine
Just like lavender, jasmine aids the symptoms of anxiety thanks to its calming smell. In this case, being able to ease depression and insomnia. It’s a multifunctional flower which does more than looking good in a home. It’s also great for making teas and lotions.
Peace Lilies
Peace Lilies are a well-named plant indeed, as they are great at helping you find peace. Its dark green leaves and white spathes (the name of the petals) have a serene zen-like quality but that’s not all. It’s a very easy plant to look after not needing much light or water. Studies have also shown that it’s almost twice as effective at removing common toxic gasses from its surroundings as other plants. It really is a plant that helps you breathe easier.
Aloe Vera
The ever-reliable aloe vera plant isn’t just good for treating sunburn and soothing your skin. It’s also great at improving the air quality in your home. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s juice is also said to help ease high blood pressure and improve digestion. It’s also a very easy plant to take care of meaning you won’t have to worry too much about keeping it alive.
English Ivy
We’ve talked about a lot of plants that improve air quality on this list. However, English Ivy is one of the best plants around when it comes to cleaner air. According to research by NASA this plant is the best for removing harmful gases like benzene and trichloroethylene. It’s also a fast-growing expressive plant which can help you create a wild natural feel to your home.
Plants aren’t just idle when they sit in our home. They play a big part in improving the ambience, air and appearance of our living spaces and can go a long way to keeping things calm.
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