Almost three quarters of the way into 2020 and most of us are waiting for someone to call “time out” and hand us some orange slices. We all need to collectively stop and take a deep breath (so long as we’re more than 6 feet away from anyone we don’t know). It’s okay to admit it, 2020 has proven an ordeal for most of us so far. Many of us have lost income. Some of us have lost our jobs. Some of us have even lost our small businesses to the pandemic and subsequent lockdown. A lot of us are separated from those we love the most. Worse still, many have lost someone whom they love to this horrendous respiratory disease. This is a partner post sharing some of the health benefits of plants.
We’ll no doubt be feeling the health, economic and sociological effects of this year with the coronavirus pandemic for many to come. However, that doesn’t mean that we’re powerless to improve our lot and try and turn the rest of the year around. Whatever calamity 2020 has wrought, plants may prove the perfect antidote. No, that’s not a typo. Here we’ll look at some ways in which plants can help us to see the year out strong.
Can the Health Benefits of Plants Help During COVID-19?
Plants are great for reducing stress and anxiety
Being in the presence of plants (be they indoors or outdoors) is proven to help us feel calmer, happier and less affected by stress and anxiety. They oxygenate our living or working spaces and can relieve stress just by looking at them and sharing a space with them.
Furthermore, when we rethink our preconceptions about ganja west and CBD products, we may find that we can combat stress without expense to our productivity. From edibles to vape products and even topical ointments there are all kinds of ways in which we can harness the calming capabilities of this incredible plant.
Plants can reduce inflammation
Inflammation is one of the biggest health problems in the west. Our high-stress lifestyles combines with our reliance on processed foods is a perfect recipe for chronic inflammation… which can make us vulnerable to all kinds of illnesses from heart disease and diabetes to some cancers. Not only does a plant based diet (or a diet that’s mostly composed of veggies, fruits, seeds grains and pulses) reduce inflammation, there’s even evidence to suggest that a barefoot walk in the grass can help to combat inflammation. Take a look into the effects of grounding and see for yourself!
A plant based diet is good for the environment
One of the few good things to come out of 2020 is that there’s less air pollution because there are fewer planes in the sky and fewer cars on the road. Want to build on that momentum and create a more sustainable future? Eat more plants. A plant based diet requires far less land, water, energy and other resources than a diet that’s rich in meat, dairy, seafood and other animal products.
Plants improve immune function
Finally, at a time when we’re all thinking a lot harder about our immune function, it’s important to remember that a vitamin rich, low cholesterol plant based diet is rich in the phytochemicals that can improve immune function. Even spending time in the company of plants can have a positive impact on our immune systems!