Did you know that a little greenery can improve your mental and physical health? It’s true! According to a study conducted by Texas A&M University, living in or near green spaces will not only make you physically healthier, it can also improve your mood, reduce the negative effects of stress, and even make you smarter!
We aren’t the only ones who will reap the benefits of a little more green in our lives, either! Our children will also feel the effect! Being raised around earthy spaces is correlated with kids being sharper, less aggressive, and demonstrating more positive behaviors.
For most of us, those benefits would be of great use right now. With everything going on in the world today, many of us are feeling the heavy burden of life. So, whether you’ve got kids stuck at home that are going stir crazy, you’re feeling the sting of isolation, or changing circumstances just have you feeling overwhelmed, plants may be the solution to help get you through.
Now, if you have a brown thumb, have no fear! There are plenty of options out there for even the biggest of plant slayers. Beginners can try snake plants, spider plants, rubber trees, or devil’s ivy. Even the easiest plants to grow will benefit your indoor environment by improving air quality and promoting a Zen living space.
To celebrate Earth Day, we would like to offer a few ideas of how you can incorporate more greenery into your daily life. So, without further ado, we have a few tips to get you started on your path to becoming a plant guru.
Turn Plants into a Fun Family Project!
Most fresh stay at home parents would agree that it’s been tough at times. At some point, you just run out of meaningful activities to do with the kids. Well, I’m here to tell you that plants could be the Sham Wow to your parenting arsenal!
Drop by your local nursery or department store and pick up some small houseplants, a bag of Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, and some clay pots. When you get home, drag out the craft supplies (yes, that includes the glitter) and have your little ones decorate the pots.
Once they’ve decorated the pots, have them pick out a plant and help them pot it. Just like that, you’ve given them a low maintenance pet that will keep them entertained for hours.
Start a Window Garden
It’s time to finally put that empty window seal to good use! Carefully pick out a few plants, making sure they’re healthy and well-paired to the amount of light your window location provides. When you get home, carefully repot your new plant babies, making sure to gently loosen the root ball before putting them in the new soil to encourage fresh growth.
Word of wisdom, most plants that grow on window seals eventually get bigger and will no longer fit nicely in their spots. Make sure you have plenty of space in your home, with adequate light, for when your plant babies grow up.
Don’t Forget Your Workspace!
Did you know that adding plants to your workspace can improve morale, productivity, and even increase your longevity with a company? It’s true! Even if you’re working from home, you can reap the benefits of adding a little greenery to your home office!
Word of advice, most places of work don’t have someone to care for plants outside of you and your officemates. So, make sure the plants you bring into your workspace aren’t high maintenance. They should be able to grow well under florescent lights and go at least a few days in between being watered.
Speaking of water, while the amount of water a plant needs will depend greatly on the variety, most people kill their little green friends by inadvertently drowning them. Unless otherwise specified in the plant care instructions, let the top few inches of potting soil dry-out before giving your little buddy a drink.
Don’t Throw That Old Fish Tank Away!
Are you a crafty guru who is waiting for your moment to shine? Well, a fish tank terrarium garden might be the outlet you’ve been looking for! While this plant project is not for a greenery novice, it’s still a fun craft that can be enjoyed by just you or the whole family!
Take a fish tank, add some potting soil to the bottom, and choose some plants that do well in high humidity environments. Great choices for your closed oasis, include: moss, ferns, and palms.
Once you’ve added your plants, pick out some decorative elements such as stones or maybe even a small fountain- the possibilities are endless! Once you’re done, put the fish tank hood, equipped with florescent lights, back on the top of the tank and enjoy!
Are you looking for more content to guide you on your path to a happy, healthy life? Check out the rest of our blog and don’t forget to follow us on social media. We can be found at youthdynamicsmt on Instagram, or People of Youth Dynamics and Youth Dynamics of Montana on Facebook.
