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HOW TO ... CHOOSE HOUSEPLANTS TO REDUCE STRESS AND IMPROVE WELLBEING
THE EXPERTS AT UK THERAPY ROOMS ( WWW . UKTHERAPYROOMS . CO . UK ) HAVE COLLATED THEIR TOP FIVE BEST HOUSEPLANTS TO AID IN EMOTIONAL WELLBEING AND LOWER STRESS LEVELS . LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH CAN OFTEN FEEL LIKE AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK . BETWEEN BALANCING WORK , FAMILY AND CHORES ALL WHILE MAINTAINING A SOCIAL LIFE , IT ’ S EASY FOR YOUR OWN EMOTIONAL WELLBEING TO SLIP DOWN THE LIST OF PRIORITIES . HOWEVER , THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN INCORPORATE INTO YOUR LIFE TO BOOST YOUR MOOD AND LOWER STRESS LEVELS , ONE OF THESE BEING TO BRING A LITTLE BIT OF THE OUTDOORS IN VIA HOUSEPLANTS .
1 . LAVENDER
Famed for its dreamy scent , lavender is the ideal plant to have in your bedroom as its benefits include not only stress relief but improved sleep too . Lavender is remarkably easy to grow , and when placed in a sunny spot ( a windowsill is perfect ) its flowers will bloom in late spring and provide colour and scent all through the summer months . Lavender isn ’ t just visually appealing either , the flowers can be cut and used in a herbal tea to wind down before sleeping .
2 . MINT
Another herb that produces a distinctive scent , this cheerfully green and bushy plant has been proven to increase alertness and enhance shortterm memory . Mint is best kept in your kitchen , but not just to brighten up the space . Much like lavender , the leaves can be used in a relaxing herbal tea blend , and also in a refreshing mojito mock or cocktail !
3 . CHAMOMILE
Known primarily as an outdoor plant , chamomile is perfectly happy to be kept indoors too , and the bushier Roman variety can brighten up the dullest of spaces in colder months . Proven to improve both mood and memory with its sweet scent , this vibrant and hardy flowering plant is the perfect companion to help bring the outdoors in . A favourite ingredient in relaxing herbal teas , chamomile is known to improve sleep quality !
4 . JASMINE
There are several varieties of this sweet-smelling floral plant with blooms ranging from white to pink and pale yellow . So , whether you opt for the climbing summer jasmine or the more shrublike winter variety , you ’ ll be provided with star-shaped clusters of blooms with their heady scent , which is known to ease anxiety and promote restfulness . Best placed somewhere warm and with partial sunlight , jasmine is the ideal plant to have in a living room or reading nook to really appreciate its soothing aroma .
5 . ROSEMARY
Although regarded primarily as a savoury addition to cooking , rosemary is also used in aromatherapy because of its invigorating and woody scent . Ideal for invoking a walk along a Mediterranean hillside , rosemary needs plenty of sunlight to thrive , so a kitchen windowsill is the ideal spot . The hardy leaves can be cut throughout the year to use as a fragrant addition in cooking or brewing tea , but just smelling this earthy plant has been proven to lower cortisol levels .
Your choice of houseplant depends on how much space , time , and money you ’ re willing to invest in your new acquisition . However , these plants not only have characteristics that aid in stress relief , but are easy to care for too .
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