Make a Green Friend

We could all use another friend in our lives.  Who ever said you can't buy friendship with money.  Well I can tell you that a cute little friend can be bought with about $5.  Now like everything in life, nothing comes for free without a little hard work, and you will have to care for your little friend.


Yes, I'm talking about plants.  Having a plant, whether it be an outdoor plant, a garden, or an adorable indoor plant, each will bring you some stress relief.  And plants not only help you with your mental health they will also help with your body being healthy as well.


The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors.  And inside air can contain 10 times more pollution that the air outside!!!  Improved air quality can help improve your health and your productivity.


I found this intriguing article that I wanted to share with you about certain plants that reduce stress, fight colds, and reduce toxins.



*Plants to Fight Stress

• Chinese Evergreen - In one study from Washington State University, people in a room of plants including this Chinese Evergreen had a 4-point drop in their systolic blood pressure after taking a stressful test, compared with only a 2-point drop in a group that had no exposure to plants.
• Arrowhead Vine - In one study, the Arrowhead Vine helped induce a 4-point drop in systolic blood pressure among stressed-out test subjects.

 
*Plants to Fight Colds

• English Ivy
• Small openings on the underside of a plant's leaves release moisture into the air, boosting humidity to alleviate cold symptoms. Because of English Ivy's high volume of leaves, horticulturists recommend it as one of the most effective cold-fighting plants.
•  Heart-Leaf Philodendron - In one study from the Agricultural University of Norway, people with office plants including the Heart-Leaf Philodendron reported 37% less coughing and 25% less hoarseness after 3 months than when they left their offices plant-free.
• Fragrant Dracaena - This Fragrant Dracaena variety reduced workers' sore throat symptoms and helped cut complaints of fatigue by 30%, in a Norwegian study.
• Peace Lily - Peace Lilies paired with a few other plants, including the heart-leaf philodendron, can boost a room's humidity by up to 5%, finds a study from the Bavarian State Institute of Viticulture and Horticulture. In the dry winter months, this small increase is enough to relieve dry throats and noses.
• African Violet - An African Violet works well with other plants to add moisture to the air and kick cold symptoms.

 
*Plants to Cut Toxins

• Janet Craig - When plants take in oxygen and carbon dioxide, they also pull in VOCs, toxins that are released by cleaning supplies, printers, and other household items. Three Janet Craigs cut VOCs in a 130-square-foot room by up to 70%, finds research from the University of Technology in Australia.
• Sweet Chico - Six Sweet Chicos, a smaller table-size peace lily, have the same toxin-reducing effect as floor-standing Janet Craig plants, according to Australian research. 
• Kentia Palm -The Kentia Palm breathes in toxins effectively, cutting VOC levels--toxins that are released by cleaning supplies, printers, and other household items--from a home, according to a study from the University of Technology.

       * Information provided by Taiga Company

Stress relief and health is just a potted plant away.  

1.  Low cost to no cost.

    Plants can be purchased at a very low cost and in most cases under $5.  Adopting a plant from a friend or relative is also a great way to acquire one.  Clay pots and potting soil are inexpensive as well.

2.  Low maintenance.

     Just give some water, light, and love.  Simple as that.  Unless you are planting a garden and then it involves a little more science and commitment.

3.  Responsibility and Anti-Depressive.

     Plants give someone a little responsibility.  Like a dog, most plants are very forgiving and really don't get sick much.  Unless you're me and you find that most plants seem to hate you :(  Plants are great at 'greeting' you when you come home.  They also encourage you to throw open the curtains and let the sunshine in, even on days you would rather stay under the covers or eat a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.  

4.  Smart food.

     You can also put food producing plants on your patio or porch.  How great would it be to have salad tomatoes that you grew yourself.  Or even lettuce.  Let your imagination blossom.  You can even share seeds with friends and grow herbs together.  Knowing you have grown something yourself give you a sense of purpose and pride in yourself.  

5.  The beauty of plants.

      Beauty relieves stress and plants add beauty to your home.  The colors and textures of the blossoms will slow you down long enough to stop and admire them.  

My husband says that my posts sound as though I'm trying to get everyone to become plant loving hippies. lol.  He says with all this mediating, journal writing, healthy eating and love of plants someone is bound to start walking around with a skirt made of wheat and changing their name to Rain.  Well, all I have to say to that is. .