7 Reasons Houseplants Improve Mental Health
Can Houseplants Enhance Mental Well-Being?
Having houseplants around the house can be very uplifting. Not only because plants tend to clean filter the air around us and make any area look beautiful but because studies have shown that having houseplants can improve mental health. As with everything, there is often a natural alternative to chemical medication. In this case, something as simple as having a houseplant can drastically affect your moods and your general mental well-being for the future to come, benefitting both you and your family.
7 Reasons a Plant Improves Mental Health
1. Anxiety and Depression
When we have feelings of anxiety or depression, going outdoors might not be what you want, but the effects of fresh breathing air on illnesses like anxiety and depression are beneficial. This benefit is where plants come in. From what we know about houseplants and plants in general, they clear the air of pollutions like carbon monoxide and other toxins around the house. With plants like Spider plants and Snake plants, we are lucky in that it doesn’t take a lot to look after them. They also clear formaldehyde from the air. We might not think it, but this compound is in the production of many household items like facial tissues, wax paper, glue, general adhesives, paper towels, plywood paneling, and synthetic fabrics.
Plants have also proven to produce negative ions. Negative ions are provided usually by bodies of water. These negative ions have a positive effect on our mental state as they loosely replicate aqua therapy. Clean air also dramatically improves sleep, decreasing the risk of mood swings.
2. Promotes Concentration and Productivity
Naturally, when one is depressed or anxious, it can be challenging to concentrate or be generally productive as there is no motivation to be. When we surround ourselves with different plants that clear the air of certain pollutions and toxins, we instantly feel better. We feel more motivated and full of energized. This new enthusiasm helps us get done what we need to do day-to-day. Some studies have also shown that the color green can be very uplifting. This color is energizing and will open up spaces in your house for proper energy flow.
3. Houseplants Aid Confidence
As abstract as this may seem, houseplants really can boost our confidence – sometimes without us even noticing it happening. Having houseplants in the house will require you taking care of them, and that is where it boosts your confidence. Looking after and growing a plant can be a very long, tedious process. However, the gratification of having a fully developed plant, knowing that it is alive because of you, can boost your confidence. This confidence spirit can spill over into other tasks that you might not have thought you could take on. It makes a person feel more like they can achieve their goals, and that will increase levels of confidence in any situation.
4. Calming/Relaxing Effects on the Mind
Some floral smells around the house like Lavender can have calming effects on stress and anxiety. They are providing a similar effect to aromatherapy. Besides the fact that flowering houseplants give a lovely smell that lightens up the atmosphere, the bright colors in plants that naturally have a stronger, “prettier” scent will also result in an uplifting feeling since our brains respond in positive ways to bright or exciting colors. It is like the difference between working or living in a dark space with dark colors or atmosphere, in comparison to working in an environment with light and attractive colors and smells. Our brains feel less trapped and anxious when surrounded by bright smells and colors.
5. Helps With Insomnia
Insomnia is something that develops from stress, depression, and anxiety. When are stressed out, anxious or feeling depressed, we lack the motivation to do even the simplest things like sleep. Not getting tired is as a result of not being able to switch off your thought process. When we lay awake all night worrying or thinking about certain things our bodies get used to not sleeping in those hours, and that could build up our tolerance to have to sleep. With the dangers of insomnia and how quickly this can snowball into a chronic state, we almost can’t afford to let the opportunity go to get a fantastic new houseplant.
6. Decreases the Risk of Brain Hypoxia
When we don’t get enough fresh oxygen to the brain, we can lose several vital brain functions. Plants clear the air from toxic chemicals that can harm us but sometimes, it’s not all about the toxins. Just not getting enough new, fresh air to the brain can result in Brain Hypoxia. Brain Hypoxia means a reduced amount of oxygen to the brain. This condition can lead to severe issues like Alzheimer’s, seizures, memory loss, schizophrenia, and loss of coordination or movement. Brain Hypoxia can have a very devastating effect on the body as well as on the mind. Lack of oxygen can also lead to Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and epilepsy.
7. Memory Loss
As you can see by now, there are a few significant factors that play a vital role in the improvement of our mental health. Clean air is one of the most prominent factors in a variety of different outcomes. In addition to our brains using oxygen for the reasons mentioned above, memory loss has also been proven to be an outcome of when we don’t get enough oxygen to the brain. Furthermore, carbon monoxide poisoning is a considerable risk in our world. It has now been shown to be a cause of amnesia or in more subtle cases, memory loss.
Houseplants Better Our Mental Health
Here we thought that plants were just a beautiful part of nature that we bring into our home to liven up the atmosphere, little did we know that our decorations have such a powerful impact on our mental health.