De-Stress & Detoxify your Sanctuary with Plants
Sharon Otness
A
34
March ~ 2016
s an Interior Designer and Home Stager, I loved specifying green plants for the ambiance they created. I could immediately set the stage for a Mediterranean feel as quickly as a lush tropical paradise with the plants I selected. They can also help delineate space, add fullness and soften some of the hard edges that furnishings can create. They also add a lush green color that goes with virtually any dĂŠcor. From a Zen aspect green plants are wonderful for alleviating stress, relaxation and a restful ambiance. This makes them key for bedrooms and offices. Time in nature is linked to reduced stress and lowering tension so bringing a bit of nature into our homes only makes sense in this high
stress, fast paced world. plants just make people feel better. For example, hospital patients with plants in their rooms were more positive and had lower blood pressure and stress levels. Similarly, indoor plants may increase your smarts by allowing you to stay alert and reducing mental fatigue. But did you know that NASA has done studies on how effective green plants are in purifying the toxins that are in our homes? Your home can be harboring invisible toxins that are unhealthy. If you are still using commercial cleaners, (we need to talk), have carpet, painted walls, wood or wood-like furniture and other building materials you have three major offending chemical compound in your home: formaldehyde (carpets, upholstery, glues and paint) benzene (plastics, synthetic fibers,pesticides, lubricants) and trichloroethylene (cleaning solutions,