Plants to Invite Into Your Home, and Your Life
By Sandy Schroeder
We all enjoy greenery in parks and gardens. Moving some of these plants into our homes may help us improve our health and sleep. Many of these plants can enhance sleep, or provide a healthy greenness throughout the home.
Recently Lifehack spotlighted a few plant choices that create a feeling of calmness and well-being wherever they grow. Take your pick.
Jasmine – The soothing smell of jasmine has been shown to fight anxiety and improve sleep. Other researchers say it improves mental alertness. Jasmine’s pale pink blooms blend into any decor, accenting your bedroom, patio or living room. If you like to garden, this plant is a perfect climbing vine for the porch.
Rosemary – This hearty plant is often grown in herb gardens. Now you can bring a pot into your bedroom to improve air quality. Researchers say it improves memory and calms the mind. Rosemary thrives in drought areas, and happily blends into all sorts of cookery. A friend of mine, who is a talented gardener and chef, always adds rosemary to his grill for burgers or chicken. He also grinds fresh rosemary with sea salt to season vegetables.
Snake Plant – This plant, also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, is one of the top choices to improve air quality in your bedroom. It converts CO2 to oxygen. Or you can station one next to your fireplace for a low maintenance touch of greenery.
Lavender – You may have enjoyed a lavender-scented perfume. Now you can use that scent to lull yourself to sleep. Try a lavender scented pillowcase, or bring in a small pot of lavender. It has been proven to lower stress and reduce heart rate. Some researchers say it works to soothe crying babies, too.
English Ivy – This hearty plant can quickly reduce air mold. Use a pot to clean the air in a bedroom to improve the space for anyone with breathing difficulties. Add another pot on a bookshelf in your office, or put one on the patio.
Whatever choices you make, be aware you may become hooked on having the greenery. One plant often leads to several more. Note: If you have cats, check to make sure the plants you choose are safe for them. As you probably know, they love to chew on green things.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.