INDOOR PLANTS THAT PROMOTE RELAXATION & SLEEP
I'm excited to have guest blogger, Christine Huegel from www.mattressadvisor.com on my blog today. She wrote a great article about choosing indoor plants that promote sleep:
Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling, unable to wind down and fall asleep? Well, you’re not alone - we’ve all been there - and it’s terrible. In fact, sleeplessness has become so common that the CDC declared sleep loss as a public health crisis in 2016 due to its devastating long and short-term health effects.
With one-third of all Americans suffering from sleep deprivation, it is time that we start looking at the underlying causes of sleep loss and sleeplessness. We’ve asked our sleep experts here at Mattress Advisor to address some of the most common causes of sleeplessness - and what we’ve uncovered will surprise you. Here, we go over one likely culprit in your battle for a good night’s sleep - indoor air pollution - and how certain plants can help to purify your air and improve your overall well-being.
What’s causing my sleeplessness?
If you’re one of the many who suffer from sleeplessness, then you’ve probably asked yourself in a 4 a.m. moment of desperation, “Why can’t I just fall asleep!?” And, while there may be more than one answer, a large contributor to sleeplessness has to do with your environment both inside and outside of your home - but, especially the quality of your air.
Over the years, countless numbers of studies have discovered that air quality is a major determinant in a person’s overall health. And, according to the EPA, the air that is found within our homes may be “more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.”
Unfortunately, indoor air does not undergo the same natural circulation as outside air, so all the contaminants that are introduced into our home’s air end up trapped, infecting ourselves and our loved ones every time they take a breath. Over time, breathing in this contaminated, stale air takes its toll on our mental and physical health. Even the mildest health effects of poor indoor air quality will prevent your body from achieving quality sleep - which ends up exacerbating the mental and physical health effects of indoor air pollution. This enters the mind and body into a vicious cycle that will deteriorate the health and wellbeing of both you and your loved ones that share your air.
The most common symptoms of air pollution include:
Flu-like symptoms
Migraines
Dizziness
Exhaustion
Irritation & inflammation of the eyes, nose, and throat
Asthma
Respiratory diseases
Heart disease
Cancer
Thankfully, just because sleep loss is a common problem in our society doesn’t mean you have to suffer from it. Instead of turning to prescription sleep aids, there are steps that you can take to help your brain chill out and wind down at the end of a long day. While it may surprise you, one of the most successful and natural ways to help induce tranquility is to add specific air purifying and sleep promoting plants into your bedroom decor.
Why sleep is important
Most people view sleep as a time of rest – but it is actually a restorative process our body undergoes to ensure that all organs continue to function properly. Sleep is made up of five stages, during which the body begins to work on a cellular level to recover and rebuild itself from the physical and cognitive stressors of that day. It is truly a miraculous process that mends all the injuries, traumas, and wear-and-tear of daily life. Sleep also plays an integral role in the body’s immune system.
Overall, sleep is a vital function and without the proper amount of it, we suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, as well as poor cognitive functioning, memory loss, and mood swings.
Using plants to improve your air and help you fall asleep
Incorporating plants into your bedroom decor can be extremely beneficial to both your mental and physical health. Many common household products release harmful byproducts into your home’s air - and these are the toxins that end up attacking your health.
The most common indoor air toxins include:
Asbestos: introduced through paints, building materials, and ceiling and floor tiles
Formaldehyde: introduced through paints, sealants, and wood floors
Radon: found in bedrock underneath homes and seeps through the walls
Tobacco smoke: can come from indoor or outdoor air
Mold, mildew, and bacteria: can be borne inside in damp spaces or brought in from outside
In addition, certain plants are well-known for releasing therapeutic aromas that relieve stress, induce feelings of tranquility, and promote sleep. The oils released by these plants will tell your brain that it is time to calm down and good to sleep.
The best plants to help you sleep
NASA conducted a study on reliable and natural ways to remove common pollutants from the air within sealed spaces. The study found that potted plants have remarkable air purification abilities. The following plants were found by NASA to be the most effective in ridding indoor air of harmful toxins and pollutants:
Spider plant
English ivy
Peace lily
Golden pothos
Marginata
Chrysanthemum
Janet Craig
Gerber daisy
Snake plant
Warneckei
Chinese evergreen
Bamboo palm
Aloe vera
Philodendron
We can also use plants to induce feelings of tranquility and serenity and reduce stress. The oils and aromas released by these plants can relieve anxiety, improve mood, and signal the brain to chill out:
Valerian
Lavender
Jasmine
Gardenia
Rosemary
Maintaining a healthy and balanced sleep schedule is critical for your health and well-being. When you don’t receive a good night’s sleep, your mind and body start to suffer the consequences and, over time, your health will deteriorate. By using plants to purify your home’s air and release relaxing, therapeutic oils, you will ensure that you’re able to wind down each night and fall asleep.
Do you have sleep concerns? Click HERE to schedule an appointment with Angela!
