Turn Your Home Into a Lush Oasis

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Here at SI Swimsuit we love sunshine for obvious reasons (aka bikini weather), but with daylight savings time creeping closer, there are fewer rays in our future and sometimes it becomes harder to muster up energy to go about our days. That’s because our mood is closely connected with the change of seasons. As the weather turns colder, consider decorating your indoor space with house plants. Just because sunlight may dwindle, doesn’t mean your mental and physical well-being has to.

Aside from their aesthetic value, plants have been proven to enhance mental and emotional health in more ways than one. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture found that people who surround themselves with plant life reap physical and emotional benefits such as stress reduction, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, stronger memory retention, higher levels of productivity and creativity, lower blood pressure, and even better self esteem. If you don’t believe us, look to doctors in the United Kingdom who have prescribed gardening projects to patients as part of “green prescriptions” aiming to reduce stress and encourage relaxation.

Indoor gardening is also a great way to maintain a connection to nature, even if you have been holed up inside for days. A connection to nature is important in regulating your circadian rhythm which plays a crucial role in your sleep patterns and hormone regulation. Our bodies inherently crave the outdoors and bringing a sliver of this into our homes can actually raise dopamine and serotonin levels.

Plus, plants act as live air purifiers. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale (as well as other toxins) and in turn produce oxygen. Not even the best of air purifying systems can produce oxygen, making plants the ultimate source of clean air for optimum mental and physical health. Even the act of routinely tending to your greenery has been proven therapeutic. Caring for houseplants is an easy way to enhance a feeling of ownership and compassion.

So, as days get darker and colder, turn to indoor houseplants for some sanity. Whether you’re a seasoned plant expert or have less than a green thumb, there are options for everyone. Consider pothos, philodendrons, spider plants, fiddle leaf figs or sansevieria for some great low-maintenance options.