Put down the prescription medication because all you need are some anxiety houseplants to reduce anxiety and improve your mental health. In terms of natural anxiety treatment, I preach a lot about the earth’s natural elements, and that’s because some of the best anxiety relief comes straight from nature and being around nature!
Do you want to go for a walk in the woods? It has been scientifically proven to alleviate anxiety. Gardening for mental well-being? It’s a real thing! Even the soil in houseplants causes serotonin release. Needless to say, it is time to bring some nature into your space for added anxiety relief as well as overall mental health and well-being.
How do houseplants for anxiety help overall mental health?
Excellent question! Using houseplants for anxiety and overall mental health and wellness is one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to alleviate symptoms and boost your feel-good hormones. It all boils down to the fact that many indoor (and outdoor) plants promote better air quality. And the better the quality of the air you breathe, the better your mind and body can function.
Consider how you feel after spending a couple of hours in nature. You feel great because of the fresh air and natural healing properties that come from being outside. On the other hand, if you work inside or spend long hours at home, you’re constantly breathing in indoor toxins, which can harm your mental health. This is exacerbated during the winter when your windows and doors are tightly shut (hello, seasonal depression!)
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But why does air quality matter for your mental health?
The quality of the air you breathe has a significant impact on your overall health. Consider how you feel after climbing through a dusty attic or spending a day in a busy city like Toronto or Vancouver, where the air is heavily polluted. You’re feeling weighed down by all of the garbage you’re breathing in.
Indoor plants have the opposite effect. They filter the air and improve the quality of the air, which ultimately improves the quality of your overall health and provides you with an extra boost of anxiety relief.
Benefits of using houseplants for anxiety
Many studies have found that houseplants for anxiety have a slew of powerful health benefits, including:
- Improves reaction times
- Increases attentiveness
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves attendance
- Improves well-being
- Raises productivity
- Improves perception
- Reduces anxiety
- Decreases mild depression
- Increases self-satisfaction
- Lifts mood
Even the soil is said to contain a bacterium that causes serotonin to be released.
So, let’s find out what the best stress-relieving plants are and how you can use them to treat mental illness naturally.
Stress-Relieving Houseplants with Powerful Anti-Anxiety Benefits
Prepare to transform your home into an indoor greenhouse. Plants have a plethora of stress-relieving properties that bring all types of natural healing right into your home. You’ll wonder how you ever survived without the powerful anti-anxiety benefits of plants once you’ve experienced them. The following are the best indoor plants for anxiety and general mental health.
Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum
Basil contains the compound linalool, which gives it a woodsy scent. Basil, according to this study, helps to reduce anxiety. Basil can be grown in water jars and placed on the kitchen windowsill for continuous supply in dishes.
Rosemary
Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus
According to this study, rosemary improves mood, focus, stress, and productivity. It can be grown in pots to improve your mood while also seasoning stews and soups.
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Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
Thyme is an important part of Italian seasoning and is used in many different cuisines around the world. It also has many benefits outside of the plate, and according to this study, it works as a mood booster. It contains carvacrol, which has a mood-boosting effect.
Lemon Balm
Botanical Name: Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm is prized for its ability to improve psychological functioning. It has been used to treat depression and stress since the Middle Ages. This anti-anxiety herb contains rosmarinic acid, which is an enzyme that increases GABA (Gamma amino-butyric acid) levels in the brain.
Jasmine
Botanical Name: Jasminum
The intoxicating fragrance of jasmine flowers can help you relax. Its floral scent has a sedative effect, making it ideal for those suffering from insomnia, anxiety, or depression. Check out our article on the amazing Jasmine benefits.
Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
This aromatic flower is also well-known for relieving stress, and doctors recommend it to patients suffering from anxiety. Lavender can be planted in a decorative vase by your bedside or in a small pot in your bathroom.
Flamingo Lily
Botanical Name: Anthurium andraeanum
The graceful flamingo lily is distinguished by lush, beautiful flowers adorned with large, gleaming leaves. It is also widely used to remove airborne toxins that can harm both mental and physical health.
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Chamomile
Botanical Name: Matricaria chamomilla
According to this study, the soothing scent of this flower can improve mood. Chamomile tea has also been shown to have excellent calming properties. It is considered to be one of the best plants for anxiety and depression.
Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum
With its showy, prominent white bracts and shiny green foliage, the peace lily is the most popular low-maintenance houseplant. It also absorbs harmful toxins and VOCs from the air, improving your mood and health.
Aloe Vera
Botanical Name: Aloe barbadensis miller
Aloe vera aids in the purification of the air by removing harmful irritants that can infect the respiratory system and contribute to feelings of anxiety and stress. This succulent variety requires little care and thrives on neglect.
Jade Plant
Botanical Name: Crassula ovata
Jade has grown in popularity as a houseplant due to its ease of care and medicinal properties. Jade plants can purify the air by removing pollutants such as those found in paint and cleaning products, which contain chemicals that can make you feel stressed and ill.
Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
Snake plant aids in the filtering of airborne toxins that affect mood, energy, and sleep. Snake plants also reduce CO2 at night due to CAM, or the ability to perform a specific type of photosynthesis.
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Weeping Fig
Botanical Name: Ficus benjamin
Weeping fig is also a great plant to combat depression, as it removes toxins and irritants from the air. While growing it indoors, allot the plant a permanent spot as it doesn’t like to move from one place to another.
English Ivy
Botanical Name: Hedera helix
If you enjoy growing vines in hanging baskets, English ivy is an excellent choice. This lovely plant removes airborne molds and formaldehyde, which can worsen depression and insomnia.
Chinese Evergreen
Botanical Name: Aglaonema
Chinese evergreen is an excellent low-light houseplant that shines even during the darkest months of the year. Gardeners love it because of its ability to filter toxins from the air and release oxygen, which increases productivity and promotes a sense of well-being.
Fern
Botanical Name: Tracheophyta
Growing ferns indoors acts as a good humidifier and reduces stress by reintroducing moisture into the air. It also improves the quality of your breathing air. In hanging baskets or decorative pots, this lovely plant can brighten up any room.
Bamboo Palm
Botanical Name: Dypsis lutescens
A bamboo plant will add a tropical touch to your home decor. It is very effective at removing air pollutants that cause anxiety. The bamboo palm acts as a natural humidifier as well. It is considered to be one of the best indoor plants for anxiety and depression.
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Pothos
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
Touching the foliage of the pothos plant, according to a Japanese study, induces a state of physiological calm. Growing it is also relatively simple, so you can keep it in your reading or leisure room. Pothos is also an excellent plant for removing harmful toxins from the indoor air.
Conclusion
Aside from keeping you happy, plants can play a vital part in keeping your anxiety controlled. We hope that this list of plants helps you to find the best houseplant to help you with your anxiety. Just remember, if you needed more help and houseplants can’t easily fix it, find a professional to help you. Plants can be your boost but it’s better to find professional help. Again, we hope that this article helped you find your new plant bestfriend.
