You know that reaction you get from being outside? The clear-minded feeling, like you could tackle any issue? Well, for those of us living in urban areas, this can be hard to come by.
We now spend 90% of our time indoors and finding the opportunity to get out in nature is becoming increasingly difficult. Plant Life Balance, an initiative designed to get Australians excited and confident about styling their space with plants, is helping to solve this issue – by bringing the outdoors into our homes.
For those of you who aren’t typical greenies, filling your space with plants may seem a bit tricky, however, it’s well worth the effort. While we’ve always known greenery makes us feel better, researchers from The University of Melbourne and RMIT have confirmed, for the first time ever, the definitive number of plants needed in the home for optimal health and wellbeing. Concluding that simply adding 1 medium sized plant (0.6m to 1.2m tall) to a medium sized room (4 x 5 m), increases air quality up to 25%. And when it comes to improving wellbeing, 5 or more plants leads to feeling healthier and happier, (direct benefits include improved mood and concentration and indirect benefits like productivity).
While many plants have miraculous health benefits, some also hold remedial properties that are perfect for the cooler months (aka flu season). Considering nearly half of all human medicines are derived from plants, growing your own tonics and cures is an achievable feat.
Autumn is the perfect time to be inspired by all things green and to help you find the best ferns and flowers for your home, Plant Life Balance also created Australia’s first virtual greening app. You can simply rate the health of your space then drag and drop plants to suit your chosen aesthetic, all through using augmented reality. There are over 120 different plants to choose from, so whether your niche is French chic or dark and moody you’ll easily find options to suit your style and vibe.
Greenery not only improves the air you breathe and the way you think, on a larger scale, it also paves the way for sustainable urban communities. Plants improve energy efficiency through temperature control and insulation and growing your own edibles is an excellent reminder of where food comes from and can reduce your carbon footprint. You don’t need to grow every vegetable on your dinner plate to make a difference – even planting basic herbs like oregano, parsley and rosemary in pots to sit on a sunny kitchen windowsill is a great way to be friendly to the planet and an excellent excuse to turn a black thumb green.
