One of the many drawbacks with growing older is discovering more things that make us down in the dumps and depressed. Sometimes it’s just the thought of growing older that gets us down. Sometimes it’s our health conditions that causes us some emotional anguish. Then there are family, job, retirement and financial issues that can get us down.

The more we feel down, the worse our health can really get. The stress of being down or depressed can lead to higher blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and more.

But did you ever think that having houseplants around can help you through these doldrums?

Plants do the opposite of what humans do. Humans take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. Plants take in carbon dioxide and expel oxygen. In fact, most of the oxygen in the atmosphere that we breathe comes from plants – forests, rain forests grass lands, prairies and even deserts, they all produce oxygen. This is one of the environmentalist fears of losing the vast rainforests around the world.

Having houseplants around your home and office/work place, helps to maintain a higher level of oxygen in the room, which in turn is better for your health.

But wait, there’s more!

Houseplants also remove up to 87% of the airborne toxins in just 24-hours:

“Studies have also proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15 percent!), reduce stress levels and boost your mood — making them perfect for not just your home but your work space, too.”

If you have an office or space in which you work, get a broad-leaved plant and place it on your desk. If you are retired, stay at home, nursing home or assisted living facility, place the broad-leafed plant on your desk, or near to where you spend much of your time. Not only will the plant help brighten up the surroundings, but it will help improve your mood, provide oxygen and clean toxins out of the air, all of which will improve your health and life.
One source says that creating a small indoor garden can do wonders for your health, mood and stress levels:

“An indoor garden can be your refuge from the outside world, and for many people it is a source of great joy. Whether you live in a small apartment, or a large house, by introducing certain plants into your home, you will start to notice improvements to your health, and overall happiness. As well as enhancing your mood and creating a living space that is soothing to be in, plants can also help with loneliness and depression: caring for a living thing gives us a purpose and is rewarding — especially when you see that living thing bloom and thrive.”

Keys to creating your own indoor garden to help you feel and breathe better, here are some tips:

• Choose the right plants. Most plants shut down at night, but some plants, such as bromeliads, orchids, succulents and snake plants, continue to take in carbon dioxide and expel oxygen at night. These types of plants are perfect for bedrooms near your bed.

• Right amount of sunlight. Some windows are treated to block out UV light, so plants may need a proper light source. Some plants don’t do well in too much sunlight, so one needs to be careful placing them in the wrong window. Know what your plants need.

• Knowing what temperature your plants need. Some plants like heat and some don’t. Being placed in a window getting afternoon sun can provide necessary heat, but be careful it’s not too much sun.

• Start with easy plants to grow and maintain until you get the hang of indoor gardening.

• Don’t over water. Many people kill houseplants by giving them too much water. The soil does not need to constantly be wet. Some plants need time of dry soil to prevent roots from rotting.

Houseplants can be an inexpensive way to jazz up a room or house. Having plants to take care of helps to give older individuals a sense a purpose and something to do. Houseplants can help with physical, mental and emotional health and help us get through some of our tougher times.