A Breath of Fresh Air at Home

Plants create a peaceful living space. When you create a sanctuary within your home, you make room to unwind and release tension from all the hustle and bustle of modern day life. We are usually looking at screens, devices, and connecting with other people whether in-person or online. Staying connected with others is very important, but plants give us a simple and powerful way to enhance our well-being. They also make our homes look more beautiful too! Not only do they have an aesthetic appeal, but they provide us with fresh oxygen-rich air which we need to survive, and help our brains think more clearly. 

Plants are air-purifying warriors. Imagine stepping into your home after a long, hard day at work or school, and as you open your front door, you hear the gentle rustling of green leaves and you smell fresh, quality air. Plants are a great way to purify pollution within your immediate environment, and they look beautiful, what more could we ask for? They are natural air purifiers as they photosynthesize, they absorb the Carbon Dioxide (which we breathe out) and release Oxygen (which we breathe in). There are specific plants that are powerful detoxifiers for your home such as the Peace Lily, Spider Plant, and Snake Plant. 

Plants help boost creativity and enhances focus. Research proves that having plants around can strengthen creativity, concentration, and productivity. Where you have plants at home or in your office at work, the presence of green, living leaves can help you thrive in creativity and work-ethic. These oxygen-producing nurturers have a positive impact on cognitive function!

Plants Enhance Mindfulness. When you have to nurture a plant in return for their beautiful presence, purifying abilities, and peaceful strength, this teaches discipline and a sense of responsibility with mindfulness. Watering, pruning, and tending to what’s important for them to stay alive (such as getting sufficient sunlight), requires patience, attentiveness, consistency, and love. By observing the way your plants grow and develop, you can become more familiar with the cycles of life and create a better connection with the natural world (nature) around you. 

Plants promote restful sleep. As your silent allies, plants such as lavender and jasmine emit fragrances that are calming to our senses and have been shown in research to enhance relaxation, peace, and improve sleep. Just their presence in the bedroom alone can create an atmosphere of serenity, beauty, and stillness. Waking up in the morning to gorgeous, fresh plants around your room is also a wonderful feeling, helping you to feel more refreshed and rejuvenated!

Plants teach us discipline. No matter how many times you pull weeds, how many times they’re sprayed with poisonous chemicals, or how many times rain or snowstorms kill them, they come back. Plants and trees will continue to grow and stand tall through the harshest conditions, which is a metaphor for life. We know as human beings with feelings that life can be extremely difficult at times and no matter what, bills will still be there, we still need food and water to survive, and as living beings, we also need love and safety. Plants are no different, as they require care, attention, water, and they breathe in the air we breathe out. We are deeply connected to nature, but we forget in today’s time with so much technology and being busy. Just take a moment to look at a plant or tree, and let yourself admire how strong and resilient it is, no matter the weather or what its been through, it stands tall, proud, and keeps fighting. Anywhere we look in the natural world, we can be reminded of this discipline. 

Plants provide beauty and serenity right at home and everywhere in nature around us. By offering us countless amazing benefits for both our physical and mental health, plants go well-beyond their physical aesthetics as they provide us with emotional well-being, improves our focus and discipline, sharpens our attention span, provides oxygen-rich air, and represents both strength and resilience. Whether you have a “green thumb” and are gifted at growing plants, or if you’re a novice, consider bringing more of these fantastic living companions into your space and reap all the holistic, science-backed benefits!