With many people still working from home, finding ways to support your productivity has never been so important – but have you ever thought of the power of plants and how they can help?
The UK’s leading online florist, Serenata Flowers, has identified 10 plants that are more than just a pretty face, as they possess qualities that can actually improve our health and wellbeing as well as increase productivity – the perfect additions to your home office setup:
- Increase productivity: Having plants in the office has been found to increase worker productivity by 15 per cent; not only are they found to reduce stress and fatigue whilst aiding memory retention, they also regulate humidity and reduce carbon dioxide, both of which help employees remain energised. Bamboo palm is known for its ability to fight indoor air pollution, promoting clear-thinking and easy breathing. Another top home office plant is golden pothos, which removes air toxins and absorbs unpleasant smells – the perfect plant to keep by the fridge!
- Help you sleep: Not getting enough sleep can have a huge impact on the quality of your work and your ability to problem solve. Whether you struggle to drift off or are easily disturbed in the night, keeping a potted aloe vera plant beside your bed could help you see the night through, as it produces oxygen at night to combat insomnia and improve overall sleep quality. Jasmine flower is also believed to reduce anxiety levels, which, in turn, will help you drift off to sleep, and the gentle scent will keep you in a deep sleep throughout the night.
- Reduce anxiety: Mental health is a big topic of discussion at the moment and it’s important to take time for self-care. An easy way to improve your mood and help reduce anxiety whilst working from home is to fill your home office space with plants. Lavender is known for its stress-relieving qualities – it slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure to greatly reduce stress. This is why its scent can often be found in lotions and sprays. Snake plant is also believed to reduce anxiety, improve respiratory problems and cure the symptoms of a headache.
- Clean the air: Removing harmful toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene will keep you happy and healthy. Rubber plant and peace lilies are both incredibly effective at purifying the air around you. Rubber plants are great for removing harmful toxins, particularly formaldehyde, and these plants become more efficient at cleaning the air as time goes on. Peace lilies are also believed to improve air quality by as much as 60 per cent and true to their name, bring with them a sense of peace and relaxation which will help you remain focused whilst working remotely.
