11 Plants, Flowers and Herbs That'll Boost Your Mood
They're like living, breathing antidepressants.
When the going gets tough, you need any little lift that'll get you in a more positive frame of mind. While self-care is incredibly important during life's difficult times, you might be surprised that your environment can play a critical role when it comes to mood — especially when it comes to plants and flowers. Here are just a few types of greenery and blooms that help reduce stress and maybe even foster feelings of happiness.
Basil
This favorite culinary herb improves a mood (much like it improves a recipe). The positive effects come from linalool, a compound found in the plant that contributes the delicious scent.
Geraniums
The masses of richly-hued flowers have always cheered us up, but the mild scent of the geranium plant (which is similar to that of roses) has been thought to promote peace of mind.
English Ivy
You can breathe easier around this simple-to-care-for English Ivy — it's rated as one of the top plants that naturally clean the air.
Boston Fern
Like ivy, this plant is excellent at filtering the air, removing up to 1863 toxins per hour. That's definitely something that can help give you peace of mind.
Lavender
The aroma of lavender has long been thought to ease anxious feelings. While you could light a scented candle, the natural fragrance of fresh lavender perfumes the air constantly for a more consistent effect.
Roses
It's not necessarily about stopping to smell the roses — really, it's about stopping to see the roses. A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that office workers who looked at roses felt more relaxed and comfortable.
Peace Lily
Spend lots of time indoors? Bring in this elegant plant. Peace lilies remove mold from the air, acting as an organic air purifier.
Orchids
Graceful and almost sculptural, orchids are one of life's most accessible luxuries. They also bloom year-round, bringing you a touch of mood-enhancing color during winter's gloomiest days. Perhaps this is why Feng Shui practitioners love to use orchids when increasing positive energy in a room.
Rosemary
Historically, rosemary has symbolized everything from remembrance to inner peace. We suspect the connection is made through the enchanting aroma of the needles, which recall sunny days.
Lilly of the Valley
Garden expert David Domoney set out to do a three-month informal study to find out what plants inspired feelings of positivity. Respondents overwhelmingly favored Lily of the Valley as a happy-boosting plant, mostly because they associated the fragrant blooms with cherished memories.
Sweet Pea
These gorgeous flowers also ranked highly in Domoney's survey for a similar reason to Lily of the Valley. Respondents stated that seeing sweet peas triggered happy memories of childhood.
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