Page 19 - Florida Sentinel 9-24-21

Health
3. Plants Improve Your Home’s Air Quality. Did you know that the air in your home can be worse than the air out- side? That’s because pollutants can get in but may not have a way to get out. Plants can help with that. This is because of the air- borne chemicals that plants re- lease. Research states that plants can remove 87% of pollutants in the air including ones like formaldehyde and benzene, both which have been known to cause cancer! And if you have pets, plants can help get rid of the pol- lutants pets bring in from the outside. The plants use the pol- lutants as fertilizer—they grow from them while we breathe bet- ter!
4. They Add More Humid- ity to the Home. Plants release most of the water they take in, adding humidity to rooms. This is great to relieve dry heat in bed- rooms and reduce the need for humidifiers. It’s like Mother Na- ture is taking care of you in so many ways with plants in the home!
5. Your Productivity Is Improved. Plants liven up work spaces and provide stimu- lation to décor. In these times of work from home and school at home, plants can provide much needed creativity and inspira- tion and less stress. You don’t need a jungle of plants—a few will do.
1. Your Immune System Gets a Boost. When you are more relaxed and sleeping well, you can fight off colds and flu bugs easier because your immune system is working better. Plants also carry airborne chemicals like phytoncides which help reduce stress, again helping the immune system. Is it any wonder why hospitals encourage plants and flowers in patient’s rooms and also have plants nearby?
2. They Help to Improve Mental Health. Plants make people think of open spaces. Plants are also peaceful. No mat- ter how crazy your day has been, plants are just there, growing. And that can be calming. The air quality benefits of plants releasing more oxygen into the air and tak- ing out more carbon dioxide helps the brain function, and the releas- ing of the right kinds of hormones helps to support mental health.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 7-B