This Item In Your House Will Remind You To Take Care Of Yourself
You’re going to want one in every room.
by Rachel Linder
What if we told you that just the mere presence of something in your home could lead you to take better care of yourself? It’s really as simple as that—we’re not kidding. Not only do plants improve your overall mental health, but there are particular plants you can keep in your house that can allow for specific psychological benefits.
First, though, let’s talk generally. A 2015 study published in the American Society for Horticultural Science journal looked specifically at the psychological and physiological impact of indoor plants on mental wellbeing in a workspace. In terms of results, “the calming effects calculated during the study showed that anxiety decreased significantly from pre- to post-intervention.” That means that simply by placing the indoor plants on the desk of an individual and keeping it there as they worked throughout the day helped to significantly lessen their anxieties compared to before the plant was placed in their workspace. That’s a big deal.
If you’re looking for more science, though, we’ve got it. Ever heard of “stress recovery theory”? It was a phrase created by researchers van den Berg & Custers (2011) and it focuses on the positives that came from individuals spending time in nature. Ready for the specifics? We’re talking “decreased anxiety, lower heart rates, skin conductance recovery, lower concentrates of cortisol, and positive changes in nerve activity.” That’s a whole lot of good for your mental health and your physical health, and all it takes is a little nature.
So now we have some tips on the houseplant that may be best for you—and where to get it. Our top plant pick is the Aloe Vera Plant and here’s why. Not only has it been shown through studies to reduce anxiety, but because it is a succulent it also is known to help lessen the harmful radiations that come from electronics. Let’s just say you’re looking at one of nature’s best air-purifiers. And did we mention it’s extremely easy to keep this little guy alive? There’s absolutely no reason Aloe Vera shouldn’t be your first houseplant. Of course, we always suggest shopping local when it comes to picking up your own Aloe plant, but one of our favorite online plant shops is Bloomscape and their Hedgehog Aloe is ideal to get you started. If Aloe Vera isn’t really your thing, it’s definitely not the only houseplant that can significantly reduce your anxiety—the options are endless.
Photo: Adobe Spark