Get Healthy, Feel Happy, and Work Better with Plants

For most of us who aren’t surfing instructors, going to work means being indoors all day. Corporate offices generally have sealed windows, recirculated air, and artificial light, all of which creates a less-than-ideal environment for humans. You can get healthier, feel more energized, and work better with plants in your space. Scientific studies in both the US and the UK have proven that live plants play a more important role in our offices than just decoration.

How Plants Help

Just what the doctor ordered. The average office’s air system recirculates the same stale air over and over again, sending any toxins along with it. Cue our green friends! Plants take in airborne chemicals and turn them into usable nutrients for their own benefit. Consequently, a room with foliage will have 50-60% less bacteria and mold than a room without. Leaf and quiet. While your tiny potted cactus won’t stop much sound, larger plants in the right places can calm office clamour by as much as 5 decibels. They act as natural noise buffers and make concentrating easier. Good for the soul. Have you ever noticed how much better your bad day gets after a walk in nature? That’s no coincidence. Even at an unconscious level, plants reduce our stress, improve our creativity, and make us better problem-solvers. All of that leads to better job satisfaction and, ultimately, improved productivity. Great for home offices. With so many people now working from home, it’s important to find ways to feel productive and energized in your home office. Plants can create a screen to separate your work space from the rest of the room, and give you a visual boost to keep you feeling calm.

Work Better With These Plant Picks

If you’ve got a brown thumb instead of a green one, you can still enjoy the benefits of office plants. Many easy to care for plants also bring a great energy to your space. Here are some of the best office plants to consider. Snake plant. Robust and attractive sansevieria stands up to most environments and needs only routine watering. They can grow to many different sizes, so be sure to pick one that will fit your space. African violet. Enjoy beautiful purple flowers and lush foliage with these resilient and easy to grow flowers. Small pots can find a place in even tiny workstations. Philodendron. For a hanging basket or trellis option, consider the lush and vibrant philodendron. Though they need regular watering, they ake a beautiful addition to your space.

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Get the full story on plants in the workplace here, and then look for Source’s Greenguard certified products to keep your workplace healthy. For assistance in office planning, retrofitting, or renovating, contact Source’s office furniture specialists today.