"The Power of Plants: Can Greenery Help Reduce Anxiety and Improve Mental Health?"

I think we can all relate to having depression or anxiety at some point in our lives.  It is a feeling so dark or so overwhelming that we just don't know how we are going to get out of the situation or feeling we are in.  

I have felt this numerous times throughout my life and I am currently in a mildly dark place.  So, I thought I would write something about what is helping me to keep things a little brighter in my life.  We all have situations that we feel like we just can't get out of and almost nothing seems to help our mood. We feel like we are drowning and nothing is going right in our lives.  We don't want to burden people with our problems, or it seems like they are disinterested in what we have to say.  So that leads us to feel we are all in this alone.  Scary! Lonely! 

My current situation is that the mortgage company has decided to raise my mortgage by $500 a month because they say I am short on escrow.  So, instead of letting me know months prior that I am short they just give me a month's notice that they are going to increase my monthly payment.  Me, being a single person, on a very tight fixed budget is going to be extremely hard to do, if not impossible.  Hence, the mildly dark situation.  I am trying to come up with different solutions, but until then these are some of the things that I have been doing to help with my depression/anxiety.

We all know that our plants make us happy, we would not be collecting them if they didn't.  But there are certain plants that really do specific things that help us with certain things.

Plants Increase Air Quality

The benefits of plants on mental health have a lot to do with the fact that many houseplants for anxiety and mental health promote better air quality. They filter the air and improve the quality of air, and the better the air is that you’re breathing, the better your mind and body are able to function.

Just think about how you feel after spending a couple of hours out in nature. You feel great and that’s because of the fresh air and natural healing properties that come from the great outdoors. On the contrary, if you work inside or spend long hours in your home, you’re constantly breathing in indoor toxins, which are known to negatively impact mental health. This is even worse for you during the winter months when your windows and doors are tightly closed (hello, seasonal depression!)

Plants Are Therapeutic

Indoor gardening has been shown to be helpful for people experiencing symptoms of mental illness. According to researchers, horticultural therapy, engaging gardening, and plant-based activities, can increase feelings of well-being among people with depression, anxiety, dementia, and other conditions.

Simply being around indoor plants can enhance both our mental and physical health. This is because houseplants can improve air quality, which is especially beneficial for those who spend most of their time indoors. Additionally, taking care of indoor plants can be a fulfilling hobby that allows for self-expression and learning new skills. So, not only do indoor plants look great, but they can also positively impact our overall mental health and well-being.

Additional benefits of using houseplants for anxiety, depression, and mental health

Many studies have shown houseplants for anxiety have a plethora of powerful health benefits, such as:

• Improves reaction times

• Increases attentiveness

• Lowers blood pressure

• Improves attendance

• Improves well-being

• Raises productivity

• Improves perception

• Reduces anxiety

• Decreases mild depression

• Increases self-satisfaction

• Lifts mood

Even the soil is said to contain a bacterium that triggers a release of serotonin.

So, let’s find out what the best stress-relieving houseplants for anxiety relief and how you can use them to naturally treat mental illness.

Stress-Relieving Houseplants with Powerful Anti-Anxiety Benefits

Prepare to turn your interior into an indoor greenhouse. Indoor plants have an abundance of stress relief benefits that bring all kinds of natural healing right into your home. Once you receive the powerful anti-anxiety benefits of plants, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them. Here are the top indoor plants for anxiety and overall mental health.

Pothos Plants Are Great for Beginners

Pothos plants are not just cute and Instagram-worthy, they’re also air-purifying champions! They’re like the superheroes of the plant world, fighting off nasty air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide, while also helping to get rid of stinky odors.

 Did you know that Pothos plants can also help soothe your tired eyes after a long day of staring at screens?  They’re like the natural, green equivalent of a spa day for your peepers. So, not only do they look amazing and add some green to your space, but they’re also helping you breathe better and feel better too.

Who knew plants could do all that, right? So, if you’re looking to spruce up your space and give your lungs (and eyes) a little love, a Pothos plant might just be the perfect addition to your home or office.

These plants are like the little engines that could – their vines grow long and fast with a single-minded focus. Talk about determination, right? And here’s a fun tip: try hanging your Pothos in a pot to symbolize reaching new heights and chasing your dreams. It’s like your own little reminder to never give up and keep pushing towards your goals.

Here are the benefits of having a Pothos plant in your home or office, in bullet points:

• Purifies the air by removing pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide

• Helps eliminate odors

• Can alleviate eye irritation after long days of staring at screens

• Adds a touch of natural beauty to your space

• Easy to care for and low-maintenance

• Can be propagated easily to create more plants

• Can be grown in a variety of settings, including hanging baskets, pots, and trellises

• Studies suggest that interacting with plants can have positive effects on mental health and stress levels.
  

Succulents For Stress-Free Greenery

Did you know that keeping a succulent in your space can actually help you feel less stressed and more positive? It’s true! Scientific studies have shown that houseplants for anxiety, including succulents, can help reduce both psychological and physiological stress levels. In fact, a study conducted with young adults found that interacting with indoor plants can have a measurable impact on reducing stress and promoting feelings of calm.

So, if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, a little succulent might be just what you need to help you relax and feel more positive. Not only are they cute and low-maintenance, but they can also have a real impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing. Plus, who doesn’t love having a little bit of nature indoors to brighten up their space?

Here are some additional benefits of succulents:

• Require minimal watering and maintenance, making them easy to care for

• Come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, making them attractive decorative plants

• Can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on the species and the environment

• Able to tolerate harsh and dry conditions, making them ideal for drought-prone areas

• Produce oxygen and purify the air by absorbing toxins, improving the quality of the indoor air

• Can be propagated easily through cuttings, making them affordable and accessible to grow

• Can be used in various ways, including as medicinal plants, culinary ingredients, and ornamental displays

• Can help prevent soil erosion due to their deep root systems and ability to retain water

• Are known to have a calming effect and can help reduce stress and anxiety, providing mental health benefits
  

Philodendron Plants Remove Nasty Toxins

Grab some philodendron plants and place them in every 100 square feet of living space for maximum benefits. Philodendrons are known to enhance air quality in homes, making them a great addition to any indoor space. These plants, which are famous for their lush foliage and sprawling, veiny leaves, are not only aesthetically pleasing but also effective in absorbing carbon dioxide and other harmful toxins from the air. The plant’s porous oxygenating leaves also help to brighten and freshen the room, creating a visually and atmospherically pleasing environment. In other words, they act as a vacuum, sucking out all the toxins in the air, particularly formaldehyde. So, this is one houseplant for anxiety that is a must!

Here are the benefits of Philodendrons:

• Enhance air quality in homes

• Absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful toxins from the air

• Lush foliage and sprawling, veiny leaves are aesthetically pleasing

• Porous oxygenating leaves help to brighten and freshen the room

• Create a visually and atmospherically pleasing environment

• Ideal for those who want to improve indoor air quality naturally and enjoy the beauty of foliage in their homes.
  

Snake Plants Boosts Good Vibes

The Snake plant is an excellent houseplant for anxiety that is known for its medicinal benefits, including its ability to remove indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene. It can also filter out impurities like xylene, trichloroethylene, toluene, and ammonia. During the night, the plant can remove up to 87% of these harmful toxins. In addition to this, the snake plant is capable of reducing the level of nitrate ions present in the air.

 The Snake Plant is also great for producing an abundance of oxygen, which can improve the mood and energy levels of those in the room, making it an excellent addition to any lifeless or stressful space. Caring for a plant like the Snake Plant has been shown to benefit one’s sense of self-love and give a sense of purpose, ultimately reducing anxiety and stress levels. Simply watching your plant grow or taking the time to water it can provide a temporary escape from the stresses of daily life.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Snake Plants can remove indoor air pollutants, such as formaldehyde and benzene, and filter out impurities like xylene, trichloroethylene, toluene, and ammonia

• They can remove up to 87% of harmful toxins at night

• They can reduce the level of nitrate ions

• Growing a Snake Plant can improve the mood and energy levels of those in the room

• Caring for a plant like the Snake Plant can benefit one’s sense of self-love and give a sense of purpose, ultimately reducing anxiety and stress levels.
  

Aloe Vera Plant Promotes Natural Healing and Anxiety Relief

One of my favorite houseplants for anxiety is aloe vera because it’s nearly impossible to kill and it has so many useful healing properties.  Aloe vera is commonly used as a herbal remedy, as it contains healthful plant compounds that are beneficial to the body. They can be used to treat all kinds of health concerns, such as burns, acne, digestive issues, inflammation and oral health, while also purifying the air drastically. With this stress relieving plant in your bedroom or around your home, you can eliminate worry and stress from your mind, body, and spirit simply by getting the breath of fresh air that it brings, right to your indoors.

Here are some benefits of aloe vera you can expect:

• Aloe vera has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections in humans.

• Aloe vera is an effective topical treatment for first and second-degree burns and may help heal other types of wounds.

• Aloe vera helps reduce dental plaque and canker sores.

• Aloe vera can help treat constipation.

• Topical aloe vera gel can slow aging of the skin and improve skin integrity, which could benefit dry skin conditions.

• Aloe vera may enhance insulin sensitivity and help improve blood sugar management.

If you’re looking for a simple and enjoyable way to boost your mental health, consider getting yourself a houseplant for anxiety and stress relief (or two, or three…). Not only do they add a pop of color and life to your living space, but they can also help you feel more calm, focused, and connected to nature. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and if you ever need anyone to talk to I am always here.  Sometimes we just need someone to listen.

Lisa