Houseplants for Improved Health

By Donna Stark

You've been told over and over again to add more greens for a healthier lifestyle, but that doesn't mean you should only add them to your diet. Surrounding yourself with plants can improve your overall health and wellness too! Now, don't worry! In no way am I suggesting you turn your home into the Amazon rain forest. With just a couple of plants, strategically placed around your home, you can make a difference in the well-being of everyone living there.

Houseplants for Improved Health

It is always nice to add a touch of greenery to your "homescape," but can plants like the humble fern really help improve a person's well-being? You bet! Houseplants have been shown to provide many emotional and physical health benefits. Take a look at a few of the benefits below.

• Breathe better - Do you worry how clean your air is? Filling your home with indoor plants, such as Boston ferns and rubber plants, can help rid your home of common toxins and indoor pollutants.
• Feel better - Wish you had a natural humidifier? Indoor plants help to increase humidity levels, which can help reduce symptoms of the common cold, such as coughs and sore throats. Look for English ivy or spider plants at your local garden center.
• Stress less - Are you looking for ways to reduce your stress? Plants and flowers in the home can help provide a calm and soothing atmosphere (think lavender here) and have been shown to improve and boost moods too.
• Heal quicker - Forget the first-aid kit! In addition to beautifying your home, a healthy aloe vera plant can be used to heal sunburn and other skin irritations.
• Filter allergens - Wish you could dust less often? Plants with textured leaves, such as violets, are great at filtering dust and allergens from the air you breathe. But be careful! You will want to avoid plants with pollen or spores if you are actively trying to reduce allergies.
• Increase confidence - Stop the selfies. If you are looking for ways to increase confidence in yourself or your children, bring some plants in your home. Being responsible for a plant can help boost a person's confidence and self-esteem. Any low-maintenance plant will work for this.

Adding Those Greens

Bringing some houseplants into your living space may seem like nothing more than an easy beautification project, but it can be a surprisingly powerful addition to your family's healthy lifestyle. So, don't delay! When you head to the grocery store to pick up those greens for your diet, stop by your local nursery or gardening center and pick up some greens for your house too! Your body and home will thank you for it!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Austin, Tex.