Stressed at work? Put pot plants on your desk

The more plants office workers could see, the less sick leave they took

Having potted plants in the office is good for your health, a new study has discovered.
Research found that the presence of pot plants in offices reduced fatigue, stress, dry throats, headaches, coughs and dry skin among workers.
The study was led by environmental psychology expert Dr Tina Bringslimark and her team at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and Uppsala University, Sweden.
In a second study, based on 385 office workers, the researchers looked at sick-leave rates and the number of plants individuals could see from their desks.
Results showed that the more plants they could see, the less sick leave they took.
One explanation is that plants and the microbes in their soil are good at removing volatile, organic compounds that can affect health.
'There could also be a psychological explanation in that people believe plants are healthier and are likely to evaluate their own health more optimistically,' adds Dr Bringslimark.

The presence of pot plants in offices reduces fatigue and stress

Potted plants are particularly beneficial for offices where workers do not have a window, according to a report from Washington State University.
In the U.S. research, workers completed timed computer tasks in rooms with and without plants. When plants were present, workers were more productive and had a 12 per cent quicker reaction time. They were less stressed and had lower blood pressure.
'This study confirms that common house plants can contribute to lower stress levels,' says Dr Virginia Lohr, who led the research. Her study also proved that dust levels in the workplace can be reduced by up to 20 per cent when foliage plants are introduced.
Dr Bringslimark says that foliage plants may be better than flowering plants.
'Large foliage surfaces produce most oxygen and help decompose toxic substances in the air,' she says.