Your Heart’s Friendship with Plants (Why Having Plants is Good for Your Heart Health!)

“Plants give us oxygen for the lungs and for the soul.” – Linda Solegato

Air cleaning, toxin eliminating, nutritious, and oh-so-beautiful to look at – PLANTS! Plants are one of those amazing natural wonders that offer us so much in life (of course, there would be no life without them!). And did you know that these natural living species can do incredible things for our heart health? Take a look at why having plants in your home (and in your belly!) is beneficial to boost your blood pumper!

How Plants Help Our Heart Health 

Plants Reduce Our Stress

According to a study published in the ‘Journal of Physiological Anthropology’, it was found that when individuals interacted with indoor plants or had them nearby, the plants reduced physiological and psychological stress. Another study by Roger S Ulrich from Chalmers University of Technology, found that the act of looking at plants in one’s surroundings could improve stressful states within five minutes or less! These studies suggest that simply having plants in our homes and workspaces can reduce our stress levels significantly! When our minds and bodies are less stressed, it improves our heart health! Less stress means that our hearts don’t have to work so hard to keep up – therefore less strain, less risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol!

Plants Improve Our Moods

Plants help our physical bodies, but they also help our moods! In a study where individuals were asked to spend time in a hospital garden, it was found that 79% were more relaxed/calm, 25% reported feeling refreshed, and 19% felt more positive. When our mood is more positive and relaxed, our bodies make less of the stress hormones (adrenaline and cortisol). In turn, this allows our hearts to beat at a more rested pace, reducing the strain on the valves and organs. 

We Can Eat Them too!

Plants are great to have in the home, and don’t forget the amazing power of plants as a superfood to boost your plate! Healthy greens, as well as an assortment of other vegetables, have been proven to have significant impacts on better heart health. Specifically, the carotenoids, vitamins, fiber, and minerals found within them are linked to decreasing blood pressure, and reducing risk for developing heart disease… So next time you serve yourself dinner, don’t forget to add a heap of veggies!

The Best Plants to Have in Your Home

Most household plants will offer you benefits, but there are some in particular that stand out among the rest (and some of them require little maintenance and care!). Take a look at some of the best indoor plants to add to your home!

NOTE: Be sure to do your research on whether the plants you like are safe to have around children and pets! Some plants can be extremely toxic for animals or unsafe to have around kids. Additionally, if ever choosing to use a plant for medicinal purposes, always do your research and speak to your healthcare practitioner before use!

• Snake Plant / Mother-in-Laws
  • Helps to clean and purify the air indoors
• Spider Plant
  • Helps to clean and purify the air indoors
  • Boosts indoor humidity
• Aloe Vera
  • Snapping off a grown leaf can give access to aloe vera gel that may help to heal burns and wounds
• Money Plant
  • Helps to clean and purify the air indoors
  • Believed to reduce stress and bring positivity to a space
• Pothos
  • Helps to clean and purify the air indoors
• Chinese Evergreens
  • Helps to clean and purify the air indoors
  • Boosts indoor humidity
• English Ivy
  • Helps to clean and purify the air indoors
  • Said to improve some respiratory issues
• Lavender
  • Reduces stress and creates feelings of calm
  • May help improve sleep
  • May be used to help relieve tension and sore muscles as well as other ailments
• Peace Lily
  • Helps to clean and purify the air indoors
  • Removes mold spores

If you were looking for a reason to purchase another plant baby for your home, this is your sign to go get one! Find the plants that will work for your space and begin a long and happy friendship of heart health and plant happiness!

Are you adding the right foods into your daily diet? Are you missing anything that could boost your blood pumper? Take a look at the best heart healthy superfoods that will improve how you feel!