It is very common nowadays for people to complain about anxiety. The novel coronavirus outbreak, as well as the pressure from day to day life, contribute to anxiety, which should not be underestimated as it could lead to depression or other mental disorders.

So, is there anything that people can do to release some of that pressure?

As a matter of fact, keeping several plants to add some green in your home is a good way to ease anxiety. Studies show that people who like to exercise outdoors will have a mental health boost of 50 percent. Researchers from the University of Essex in England investigated the reason, finding out that the secret to why nature could help people to calm down is because of one of its major colors: green.

Green is a special color, as it is not cold nor warm in the color spectrum. To people, green usually represents calm, peace, freshness, and safety because of the ancestors of human beings, green means food, and water. This impression was engraved in human's minds during the evolution process, hence the feelings this color generate on people today.

Green plants not only can help to ease people's anxiety, but also to clean the air. The photosynthesis of plants can absorb the carbon dioxide in the air and release oxygen. However, do not grow too many plants in the bedroom since photosynthesis takes place during the day, so when nighttime comes, plants will do the opposite by absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.

The best choice of plants to keep at home and in the office are pothos, lucky bamboo, and cactus because they are also easy to keep. Some of them even produce colorful flowers as an extra gift. 

(Cover image via VCG)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)