Max Hahne - Home Sweet Home August

Household Plants Holistic Wellness FOR

Indoor potted plants have long been popular for the natural beauty they bring into your home. That’s why an enduring design tip for livening up an interior space is to fill the area with fresh plants in a variety of colors. Many of us love the different aesthetic and design possibilities of indoor plants, but did you also know that plants have benefits for human health and wellness? Home Sweet Home spoke with Ashley Searing, founder of RejuveNate – Plants & Wellness in Crest Hill, Illinois, to learn more. Inspired by the sense of peace, joy, and satisfaction she experiences when working with plants, Ashley became curious about the different species and their potential benefits. “I started by researching the benefits of plants and what they can do for your physical health and mental health,” Ashley explains. Over the years, she has devoted time and energy to investigating the impact interacting with plants and being around green space has on overall wellness. The extent of the connection between plants and wellness may surprise you. Not only are all plants air purifiers that remove harmful toxin, but the actual act of planting and caring for plants can help alleviate any number of mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and stress. There is a scientific explanation for this. Mycobacterium vaccae, a nonpathogenic bacterium that is found naturally in soil, has been shown to have the ability to increase serotonin levels in the brain. Scientific studies have long shown that maintaining a proper serotonin level is vital for several key body processes including cognition, sleep, and healing. Serotonin is also a mood elevator and stabilizer. When your body’s serotonin level is low, you are more apt to depression. How Indoor Plants Support Health in Your Home

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