You may have heard about the various benefits of keeping indoor plants, including their ability to not only enhance a space but also improve your mood. However, recent studies show there may be yet another reason to adorn your home with plants. If you’re experiencing trouble sleeping at night, the solution may be simpler than you think.
How Do Plants Improve Sleep Quality?
Your environment has a significant impact on your quality of sleep. We’re often aware that dim lighting and soothing sounds promote good quality sleep, but less noticeable factors, such as smell and air quality, are also important. Certain plants have been found to reduce anxiety, promote calmness, and even act as a natural air purifier.
A recent study from Kansas State University found that “surgical patients who had flowers in their room had lower blood pressure, ratings of pain, and anxiety than patients in the control group who didn’t have them.”
Another study from the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics found that plants could improve “not only emotional state but also sleep quality in the long-duration isolated environment.”
Air-purifying plants, such as the Spider Plant, can absorb toxins from the air, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Removing these toxins makes it easier to breathe and could help you stop tossing and turning at night. Other plants emit water vapor, preventing the nose and throat’s mucous membranes from drying out and making you less susceptible to bacteria and allergens.
If you’re thinking about incorporating plants into your nighttime routine, you may not know where to start. Here are our picks for the best plants to help you sleep:
- Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)- excellent air purifier that removes four out of five common toxins.
- Lavender- shown to reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
- Jasmine- helps you spend fewer minutes tossing and turning and wake up feeling less anxious.
- Golden pothos- acts as an air purifier, removing toxins such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.
- Spider Plant- removes formaldehyde from the air, a common carcinogen found in many household products.
How We Can Help
If you have a more serious sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, plants alone will not improve your sleep quality. Our team is committed to understanding each patient’s specific needs and providing the very best sleep apnea treatments. Contact us today to learn how we can help treat your sleep apnea.
