The Green Advantage: How Houseplants Boost Mood And Productivity In Your Workspace

In a high-speed workplace, full of digital screens and often weighed down with stress, the need for an engaging, life-affirming environment has never been greater than it is today.

One of the most effective ways of creating that environment is through the simple, ubiquitous and extraordinary houseplant.

Generally, we think of houseplants as attractive additions to our indoor surroundings but, in this piece, we will see how these green and leafy helpers can enhance our workplaces, both consciously and subconsciously, in a wide variety of ways that help to boost our productivity and improve our wellbeing.

Enhancing Air Quality

Perhaps the most well-known benefit of houseplants is their air-purifying properties.

There are numerous pollutants that can affect indoor air quality, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from furniture, electronics, cleaning products, and other sources.

Without proper air circulation, VOCs can accumulate in indoor environments, leading to poor health symptoms such as headaches, mental fogginess and respiratory problems.

Houseplants act as natural air purifiers and decrease these toxins, improving indoor air quality and creating a healthier and more energetic workspace for you to thrive in.

Improving Mood And Creativity

There is also substantial scientific evidence suggesting that greenery improves mood and mental health.

The sight of lush foliage and blooming flowers can evoke feelings of calmness and relaxation, therefore reducing stress and anxiety.

Houseplants have also been shown to increase creativity and improve cognitive function, making them a great addition to workspaces where innovative thinking or problem-solving is required.

By greening up your workspace, you can create an uplifting and creative environment where you can focus, concentrate more and get more done.

Increasing Productivity And Focus

Beyond improving mood, there is a significant body of research that clearly demonstrates how houseplants can improve your productivity and focus.

Researchers at the University of Exeter found that adding plants to office environments increased productivity by up to 15 per cent.

The presence of greenery in your workspace can help limit distractions such as noise and visual clutter, while promoting a sense of calmness and focus.

Whether you’re working on a difficult project or working your way through a lengthy to-do list, having plants nearby can help you stay motivated and on-task, resulting in greater efficiency and success.

 Alleviating Stress and Promoting Relaxation

Today, stress is all around us in our hyper-connected world, and we live with it day in and day out.

Our nervous system is constantly in a state of overdrive.

Add to that the adverse effects of air pollution, and it becomes clear why we need nature’s stress-reducing remedy more now than ever.

Fortunately, houseplants provide a cure for what ails you.

Numerous studies have shown that having plants nearby can lower your cortisol level, the hormone that indicates your ‘fight or flight’ response, and leave you feeling blissfully relaxed.

Just taking a moment to admire their appearance, or engage in mindful practices such as watering and pruning, can provide a much-needed break from work and life pressures.

Creating a green haven in your workspace can exert a calming effect on the body and mind, allowing you to recharge your batteries and face another day or week with renewed vigor.

Improving Physical Health

In addition to providing a calming influence, houseplants help improve physical health by adding much needed moisture to dry indoor air.

Through a process called transpiration, plants release moisture into the air, reducing indoor air humidity and easing symptoms of respiratory discomfort such as dry throat and irritated sinuses.

Caring for your plants can also provide an opportunity for movement and exercise, helping to improve circulation and muscle tone.

Enhancing Aesthetic Appeal

Last but certainly not least, houseplants can add beauty and warmth to any workspace.

With so many species to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting plants that reflect your personal style, whether you prefer shiny purple leaves of the Persian shield or the majestic foliage of the Philodendron Gloriosum..

Apart from providing a visual focal point and acting as decorative accents, plants can be strategically placed to distract the eye from less attractive features.

So why not bring some green friends into your workspace? Your coworkers and yourself will benefit from them immensely, whether they realize it or not.