5 Reasons Houseplants Are Good for Seniors
If you’ve ever gone outdoors and felt an instant sense of peace, you know how beneficial being in nature can be. And while you can’t spend all your time in nature, you can reap some of the same benefits by bringing a little bit of nature into your home. Here are five reasons houseplants are good for seniors.
1. Houseplants Help You Rest
Getting enough sleep is a real concern for many seniors. In fact, lack of adequate sleep is linked to a whole host of conditions, including depression, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. So it makes sense to do whatever you can to improve the quality of your sleep.
Interestingly, houseplants do just that! They have a calming effect, and they increase the amount of oxygen in the air, which may help you breathe better at night. Gerbera daisies are a great choice to have in your bedroom. Their cheerful blooms will help boost your mood, and they release oxygen all night long, even when your light is out.
2. Houseplants Improve Indoor Air Quality
In addition to removing carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen levels in the air, houseplants improve indoor air quality in several other ways. For example, they help remove indoor air pollution from volatile organic compounds. They also help trap dust, mold, and other allergens. And some plants, like the spider plant, even help increase the humidity in the air, which is especially beneficial in the winter, when heating your home tends to remove moisture from the air.
3. Houseplants Help You Heal
Some plants, like aloe have direct medicinal benefits–you can use it to soothe sunburns and cuts, for example. But did you know that simply having plants in the room could help you feel less pain and heal faster after an injury or illness? And researchers have found that caring for potted plants helps patients with mental health concerns, too! Tending to houseplants has been found to help patients with dementia, depression, and anxiety feel more at ease.
4. Houseplants Lower Stress and Increase Happiness
One of the best reasons to get a houseplant is simply that plants make us feel happier and less stressed. Indeed, studies have found that caring for indoor plants relieves stress and lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. And just having some colorful flowers in your room can make you feel happier, too! Some plants, like lavender, are also thought to help you relax through their pleasant smell. So if you’ve been feeling stressed or depressed, why not pick out a cheerful new plant to bring home? It could be just the boost you need!
5. Some Houseplants Are Tasty
Of course, we wouldn’t suggest that you snack on your snake plant. Indeed, many houseplants are toxic if ingested. But having an herb garden in your home can brighten up your windowsill and provide you with a tasty way to spice up your food. Chives, basil, parsley, cilantro, and oregano are all easily grown as indoor houseplants. Peppermint and spearmint make wonderful houseplants, too. Try steeping their leaves in hot water to create a soothing tea. Need some tips for a successful herb garden? Check out our blog post here.
Houseplants make us feel happier and healthier, improve the air in our homes, and sometimes even provide a tasty treat! So why not make a trip to your local nursery and pick out a few? Your home will be more cheery in no time!