WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MAY 17, 2018 15
AT HOME
5 ways gardening and
plants can reduce stress
In today's busy world, we're continually
searching for new ways to slow
down and unwind. This has led
more people to discover the calming
benefi ts of gardening and how incorporating
plants into decor provides a
way to reduce everyday stress.
Studies have shown that indoor
plants clean the air by removing 87
percent of airborne toxins in 24 hours,
and can make people more relaxed. In
fact, the very act of planting and maintaining
a garden provides relaxing
stress relief in today's busy world.
With such pronounced benefits,
there are many reasons people who
live in crowded cities and spacious
suburbs have taken up gardening. For
a closer look, green industry experts
at RISE (Responsible Industry for a
Sound Environment) off er these fi ve
ways gardening can help you create
a stress-relieving sanctuary at home.
ADD A FIDDLE LEAF FIG TO
YOUR LIVING ROOM
With large, waxy green leaves that
look like a fi ddle, the photogenic fi ddle
leaf fi g adds a stunning pop of green
to any living space. The trees thrive
in bright to medium light and prefer
room temperatures. Water them only
when the surface of the soil is dry or
when the leaves start to wilt; you'll
know your tree is happy when its
leaves are perked up toward the sun.
Caring for the tree energizes your
mood and in turn, its healthy green
leaves liven up your home.
GROW AN HERB GARDEN
IN YOUR KITCHEN
Home chefs and foodies alike know
how important it is to have fresh herbs
on hand. Rosemary, mint, sage and
basil thrive in small terra cotta pots
on your sunny windowsill. They not
only add the fi nishing touch to a meal
or a refreshing drink, but tending
your herbs helps to relieve daily stress
while enticing you to experiment with
new healthy recipes featuring your
homegrown harvest.
MONITOR THE AIR
QUALITY WITH ALOE VERA
PLANTS
Most people know about the medicinal
properties in aloe vera plants.
Most of us have slathered some on aft er
getting a sunburn. In addition, they're
great for purifying the air. They can
also serve as a monitor of air quality
because they will display brown spots
if something isn't quite right. Aloe vera
thrives in sunny spaces and at room
temperature, so make sure to position
it near an interior window to help
maintain a healthy plant.
PUT A SNAKE PLANT
IN YOUR OFFICE OR
WHEREVER YOU'RE MOST
BUSY
Offi ces and cubes can be some pretty
sterile spaces, which can make it
hard to stay motivated or feel content
during the work day. There are a
million and one reasons for putting
a plant in your offi ce, and because
you need to focus on the work at
hand, you need a stress-free plant.
When it comes to caring for a plant, it
doesn't get much easier than a snake
plant. These beautiful plants grow in
a wide-range of lighting conditions
and at any normal room temperature.
They off er a low-maintenance boost of
zen, producing oxygen and, because
sometimes you go on vacation, can go
weeks without water.
LIVEN UP YOUR SHADED
BATHROOM WITH A
PEACE LILY
The dark leaves and curvy white
blossoms on a peace lily are easy on the
eyes and easy to grow. Perfect for those
less-well-lit areas of the house, peace
lilies thrive in shade and can withstand
a variety of temperatures. Looks aside,
they're known for reducing both airborne
toxins and mold, making them
the perfect plant for bathrooms or
other damp areas of your home.
The wellness benefi ts of caring for
and being around plants are endless.
The next time you're feeling stressed,
spend some time in the garden or
take a stroll through a park to enjoy
the greenery and the natural comfort
that comes with being surrounded by
plants. To ensure they stay healthy and
vibrant, visit www.debugthemyths.
com where the experts at RISE off er
more tips and advice on how to care for
the plants in your garden and home.
Courtesy BPT
/www.debugthemyths
