A Big Topic
We’re going to narrow it down to a few worthwhile points in this article, but before that’s done, it’s worth noting: this is a huge topic. Think about this for a moment: activist groups constantly point out how humans are harmful to the environment and the ecosystem. Hold on a moment: aren’t human beings part of the ecosystem?
If all homo sapiens were removed from the world, would this, in fact, represent a net gain for the environment? Would animal populations remain healthy? Would volcanoes stop erupting? Would earthquakes quit quaking, or tornadoes blowing, or floods deluging? Scientists commonly try to scare modern people by pointing to “extinction-level events” of the past. Do those just disappear if man does?
There’s a lobby against human beings, but it ignores the fact mankind has always been integral to his environment. Now here’s the other side of that coin: it’s definitely unhealthy to create totally synthetic environments that completely remove human beings from nature. Because mankind is literally part of the Earth’s ecosystem, it functions best living in harmony to that ecosystem.
That means moderation in things like hunts, and it means using natural remedies for health and peace of mind. It means being hygienic in cleaning up after himself in a metropolitan sense, and more. That brings us to today’s topic: there is a physical and psychological aspect that influences people as they come near plants and flowers; one that impacts health.
- Flowers and Greenery Clean the Air
Through photosynthesis, plants turn light into energy. But they also drink water and “breathe” the air. They “inhale” CO2, and “exhale” O2. So naturally, any environment with any gases that incorporate quantities of CO2 will be purified by plants. Some plants do the job better than others, here’s a list of 20 you can bring to your home which will clean the air. - Flowers Reduce Fatigue and Boost Productivity
Perhaps owing to heightened air quality, plants are going to reduce your natural fatigue. There’s also a psychological element we’ll explore shortly. When you’re less tired, you’re more productive; it’s an upward spiral. Aromas and appearance of fresh cut flowers in your home can give you a mild “boost”, as it were.
- Floral Arrangements Expedite The Body’s Natural Healing
Something else that’s a clear benefit of flowers and other plants is that your body will heal faster if they’re in close proximity. Hospitals have found that people who are sick almost always get better quicker when there are plants nearby. So if you’re prone to illness, part of the problem could be there’s no greenery whatever in your home. - Psychologically, Healthy Plants are Archetypically Positive
Human beings were meant to be harmoniously involved in their environment, and modernity makes that difficult. We have a psychological “niche” in our mind that yearns for the natural.
Accordingly, when we see healthy plants, it helps let us know, at a subconscious level, that everything is okay. When you’re around healthy plants, your mental health improves.
Reintroducing Foliage to Your Home or Business
Prior modernization, no electric or gas-powered amenities separated mankind from his environment. Now, there were downsides; sanitation and hygiene are the biggest reasons people live longer today. Old styles of living were bereft of modern sanitation. However, there was a greater dependency on nature, and that had benefits.
Flowers and greenery actually purify the air, indoor foliage makes you less fatigued and more productive, flowers in close proximity can actually help you heal, and psychologically, plants fill an archetypically positive niche in the mind which can lead to more stable mental health. Altogether, whether at home or in the office, it’s good to have some healthy plants around.
