PAGE 12 | Health
HALINHAN | BACHELOR OF ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
PLANTS AS THE PA PERFECT PANDEMIC PALS. carbon dioxide into oxygen even at nighttime. Therefore, even if you live in an enclosed space that has no air flow, snake plants can purify the oxygen you consume.
Louie Margarette Milla I Writer
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ith everyone trying to find ways to cope in these trying times, people have discovered a new friend that will fill the voids in not just our social lives, but also our homes. Nestled into little pots are our newest companion, houseplants. The influx of engagement in in-house gardening has resulted in new jargon that you may see every day. “Plantito” for males and “Plantita” for females, clever nicknames that combine the word plants with tito (uncle) and tita (aunt) that are used to address plant parents in the time of the pandemic. And being a plantito or plantita comes with several benefits. Aside from the beautification it gives your space, having plants to take care of inside your home has been proven to bring significant benefits to your physical, emotional, and mental health. Having indoor plants doesn’t just fill your house with a therapeutic feel, but also quite literally improves the air quality you and your family consume in your space. Scientists have detected over 300 pollutants known as volatile organic compounds that indoor plants can help eliminate. There are various plants to choose from. a lot of plants to choose from. The most famous ones include Pothos plants, which are also called air purifiers. Known best for removing toxins and pollutants from the air in your home. With its reputation as the easiest pot plant to grow, photos plants are highly recommended for rookie Plantito or Plantita. Mayana is also a pandemic favorite, known not only for its colorful but also for its medicinal effects. The leaves of this therapeutic herb can be used to relieve headaches, disinfect wounds, and reduce swelling. Also, one common plant is Aloe vera, a succulent that can treat skin wounds by cutting off its leaves and cleansing the air at the same time. They are durable and easy to care for. Snake plants are low maintenance plants known for providing a strong protective aura in your home. One unique thing about this plant is it can convert
Regardless of how plants vary from the aesthetic appeal it provides, medicinal gain and level of maintenance it requires, all plants grant their cultivator psychological benefits. A study has discovered a bacterium called Mycobacterium vaccae in plant soil that stimulates the secretion of serotonin, a chemical messenger that improves mood and reduces anxiety. interacting with plants can also relieve physical and emotional stress through the cardiovascular system lowering blood pressure while fostering calming and comforting feelings. It’s been long confirmed by science that connecting with indoor or outdoor plants can help to ease depressive symptoms.
Due to the travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic, we have little to no opportunity to see nature and feel the relaxing ambience of the mountains, forests, and ocean. Having plants inside your homes has served as an alternative way to be closer to nature. It can also act as a reminder of the positive experiences and emotions we used to freely experience in public green spaces, giving us that sense of normalcy we’ve been desperate for. Being trapped inside your dwellings makes it so easy to feel lonely. Fortunately, these household plants have served as our new friends to lessen the feeling of being isolated. One of the things that is special about being a plantito or plantita is that, unlike the other pandemic trends, taking care of plants is more than just a fad. It needs investment, effort, and commitment for the long term. It is something that you should be consistent about. Plants require connections with them, and we all know how being connected to others is one of the necessities we currently seek. Nowadays where we feel stuck in this seemingly incessant demotivating cycle, cultivating our little green friends has become something that we look forward to every day. Simple gestures like watering and tending to the plants can be our motivator on getting up day by day. Caring for another living entity can give us a true sense of purpose and feel better about ourselves. These plants, as small as they may be, can contribute to a huge improvement in one’s well-being.
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