Many of us are living a high-tech, fast-paced lifestyle while trying to tackle the day-to-day household chores, raising kids, keeping up with bills, and everything else. All of this can take a toll on us emotionally and mentally. Everywhere we look, experts caution us to try and slow down, eat better, exercise more, and change our lifestyle to relieve stress.
There's little doubt that many of us find bringing plants into our home adds an entirely new dimension to brighten and refresh a room.
In 1984, the idea was popularized by naturalist and writer E.O. Wilson, also known as the biophilia hypothesis, proposing that humans have an inherent connection to plants and other living things. Since then, more than thirty years of research spanning the globe have strengthened and confirmed this hypothesis, showing that nature and more natural environments have a sizable effect on increasing positive emotions while decreasing negative ones.
Our connection to plants may be so strong that occasionally it only takes a few minutes of being in their presence to begin to feel better.
But is this true with artificial flowers or artificial plants? Does the same connection happen whether we look at a freshly cut rose stem or an artificial lilac flower branch? What about dried and preserved florals and branches?
Artificial Buds, Real Stress Relief
Unlike the faux florals of yesteryear, production, attention to detail, materials, and construction have all made leaps and bounds to create such life-like replicas that it is nearly impossible to tell fake from genuine. Thanks to continuing innovative technology, faux plants and flowers bring the same stunning natural feel into any space. And the good news is? Science agrees that whether the plant is real or faux, they both work to relieve stress.
Decorating your home, room, or space with faux indoor plants and florals can make you feel calmer and help you compose yourself while reducing tension levels significantly. Scientists and our experts agree that having lush, evergreen faux plants nearby is one of the most effortless ways to de-stress and lower anxiety after a demanding day at work.
In addition to being stress reducers, they are infinite time and worry savers. Not everyone has the dedication and time to care for an actual plant—something we would never judge anyone for! So for those with limited hours in the day or who simply can't, faux plants and flowers give all the benefits for a fraction of the energy required to maintain a natural plant.
Speaking of lowered stress, artificial plants and flowers are allergen free! That means if you've had to avoid having plants and flowers in your home due to pollen allergies, you can now enjoy the loveliness of floral arrangements of house plants without sneezing.
Which faux plants or artificial flowers do experts and scientists recommend for a stress-reducing space?
• Blooming Florals – With bright or pastel petals, bunches of faux blooming flowers can instantly calm the mind and influence more positive emotions
• Faux Succulents – These strikingly vibrant green plants are a beautiful addition to any home, wherever they may be displayed
• Faux Hanging Plants – Enchanting shades of green with patterns and striations for a bold statement in greenery
When visiting your health care provider, dentist, or another medical office, have you ever noticed that most have several faux flowers or plants around? Artificial florals are low maintenance while adding all the beauty and splendor of nature. They're used in these settings because of their restful, calming nature. Patients have even reported in studies that they left lower levels of pain and distress when artificial plants are present.
Enclosed Space Relief
Some of us work from home; others must commute to the office. Whether that office is downstairs near the kitchen or miles away, when stuck in an enclosed space for hours can be draining. Adding faux plants can give us a moment of visual relief, a chance to get away, or create a happier, brighter environment that makes work hours much more effortless.
A 2021 study published in the National Library of Medicine posed the question: Does greenery experienced indoors and outdoors provide an escape and support mental health during the COVID-19 quarantine?
The study found that symptoms of moderate depression and anxiety experienced by students spending most of their time at home during the epidemic experienced better mental health and lowered feelings of unease when exposed to more greenery.
Adding lush, colorful plants to your home or office may significantly improve how you feel in a work environment!
What are some of the best faux plants to add to an office?
• Big potted plants, such as an Artificial Potted Olive Tree or other faux trees
• Artificial Jade Succulent Plant
• Preserved greenery like Asparagus Plumosus Ferns, Green Dried Flower Amaranthus Bundles, or Preserved Coastal Dune Grass
• Artificial Blossom Branches such as Cherry Blossoms or Orchids and Magnolia
• Big blooms such as Artificial Snowball flowers, Cosmos flowers, Hydrangeas, Dahlias, Geranium Bushes
• Faux fruiting greenery, like Artificial Fig branches and Pear branches,
Restorative and Recharging
Whether genuine or artificial, plants have restorative and grounding effects, helping us feel refreshed and recharged. When we're so focused on something demanding, whether a household chore or a challenging task at work for a long time, this can lead us to mental fatigue and negative emotions. When we begin feeling that burnout, that can start to affect our attention and concentration. Seeing a gorgeous plant in these situations can spark interest, not only in our eyes but our minds, which redirects our attention and restores our depleted mental and physical resources—an idea known as attention restoration theory.
Studies conducted in 2020 researched the effect of workplace nature-based interventions on employees' mental health and well-being. These studies found that the plant-induced restoration effect had a wide-ranging positive reach, renewing positive emotion and boosting productivity, creativity, and attention capacity!
Do artificial plants affect us as much as genuine ones? The data-driven answer is yes! Plants, flowers, berries, and all sorts of faux plants help create an elegant and breathtaking interior addition and affect our moods and overall mental health! But don't just take our word for it! Why not browse our fantastic selection of exquisitely detailed artificial and preserved florals and plants today to see which ones spark your happiness?
How do your florals make you feel? Share your favorite arrangements and how they make you feel by tagging us on social media; we'd love to see them! And don't forget to follow us for more tips, tricks, ideas, and incredible facts about all things floral.
