THE benefits of being in, and engaging with, nature are immeasurable and invaluable, for both body and mind.
With pandemic lockdown restrictions limiting our movement and restricting our access to the natural world, many have struggled with declining mental and physical well-being – particularly those whose living spaces do not include outdoor areas such as gardens or balconies.
In these homebound times, we need to be particularly cognisant of the ways in which we arrange and curate our living spaces; ensuring they create an uplifting, fresh and free atmosphere in which we feel empowered to live life well.
Infusing your home with the elements of nature is a great way to open up your space and turn it into a personal sanctuary where you can easily find the peace, harmony, calm and positivity that you need to thrive.
Let the Light In
There are huge benefits to allowing natural light to fill your home, rather than relying on artificial lighting such as that provided by LED and fluorescent bulbs. These can include:
Reducing strain on the eyes
Boosting vitamin D intake
Decreasing the risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Improving your quality of sleep
Reducing stress and anxiety
Increasing energy levels and uplifting the mood
Mental boost
There is ample scientific evidence that suggests introducing plants and greenery into your living space can have a significant positive impact on your mental health, in a number of ways.
Not only do indoor plants have the potential to soothe anxiety and uplift your mood, but the practice of actively caring for a living being is immensely rewarding.
No matter how down you may feel, seeing your beloved plants flourish under your care gives a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
A breath of fresh air
It is incredibly important that the air you breathe is clean, fresh and free from harmful microbes. If you live in a relatively small and/or enclosed space, the air is likely to be somewhat stale (due to the lack of airflow) and may contain toxins and indoor pollutants. As we know, plants both absorb carbon dioxide from the air AND release fresh oxygen; meaning they can offer impressive air purification abilities. According to Gary L Altman, associate director of the Horticulture Therapy Programme at Rugters University, placing six to eight medium/large plants in a big area should be sufficient to improve air quality noticeably.
While all plants offer some degree of air purification benefits, here are a few that are considered to be especially effective:
Spekboom
Snake plant
Peace lily
Bamboo palm
Chinese evergreen
Spider plant
Philodendron
Aloe vera
Parlour palm
Ficus
Flamingo lily
If you want to get your creative juices flowing, you can even dive into some natural DIY projects, such as building your own terrarium or vertical herb garden – there is a wealth of brilliant ideas for any budget available online.
