We all know that eating vegetables is good for our health. They are packed with nutrients that can help boost our immune system, improve digestion, and even help prevent chronic diseases. But did you know that growing your veggies indoors can be even better for your health? It offers health benefits, but it is also cheap and easy. Here are some compelling reasons why growing vegetables indoors is good for your health:
1. Enables You to Take Control of the Environment
When you grow vegetables indoors, you have complete control over the environment. This means that you can ensure that your plants are getting exactly what they need to thrive.
For example, if you live in an area with high levels of air pollution, you can grow plants known to filter out harmful toxins from the air. If you’re dealing with a limited amount of space, you can choose compact varieties of vegetables that don’t take up much room.
The only additional equipment you might need is growing lights since most indoor spaces don’t have access to natural sunlight. Using led grow lights is a great way to ensure that your plants get the light they need to grow without using energy. Also, led grow lights don’t produce much heat, so you won’t worry about your plants getting too hot.
2. Better Air Quality
When you grow plants indoors, they help purify the air by absorbing harmful toxins and releasing oxygen. This is especially beneficial if you live in an urban area where air pollution is a serious problem. Plants can help reduce indoor air pollution by up to 89 percent.
As hopefully all of us learned in high school, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the typical home contains about five times higher carbon dioxide levels than what is found outdoors. While most people think that having high levels of carbon dioxide in our homes is not a big deal, it can be. When we breathe in air containing high carbon dioxide levels, it can lead to headaches, dizziness, and even nausea.
3. Boosts Your Mood and Energy Levels
Indoor plants have also been shown to boost mood and energy levels. One study showed that office workers who had plants in their workspace reported feeling more energetic and less tired than those who didn’t have plants. You only need to spend a few minutes around plants to feel their positive effects. The scent of certain plants, such as lavender and jasmine, can help relax and calm the mind.
4. Reduces Stress Levels
Studies have shown that interacting with plants can help reduce stress levels. One study had participants care for a plant for over three months. The results showed those who had taken care of plants reported feeling less stressed than those who didn’t interact with plants. Caring for plants is a great way to break from your hectic day-to-day life and clear your mind. Even if you don’t have much time to spare, simply taking a few minutes to water your plants can help reduce stress levels.
5. Improves Your Diet
When you grow your vegetables indoors, you have complete control over what goes into them. This means that you can choose to use organic methods and avoid harmful pesticides and other chemicals. Eating organic vegetables is good for your health, but it’s also good for the environment. According to the Environmental Working Group, eating just one more serving of organically grown fruits and vegetables a day can reduce your exposure to pesticides by up to 80 percent.
6. Connects You with Nature
Although you might not think of it as being “outdoors,” growing plants indoors can help you feel connected with nature. Studies have shown that interacting with plants can positively affect our mental and emotional health. Spending time around plants can help reduce stress levels and improve mood. Growing plants indoors can help you feel connected to nature and combat the negative effects of living in a concrete jungle if you live in an urban area.
7. Grows All Year Round
One of the great things about growing vegetables indoors is that you can do it all year round. Even if it’s snowing outside, you can still enjoy the fresh, healthy vegetables that you grew yourself.
If you have a green thumb, indoor gardening is a great way to get your fix of fresh vegetables even when it’s not the growing season. You can choose to grow fast-growing vegetables that will be ready to harvest in just a few weeks or grow slower-growing vegetables that will last for months. With a little bit of planning, you can have fresh veggies.
Growing vegetables indoors is a great way to improve your health, boost your mood, and connect with nature. If you have the space and the time, indoor gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby. There are many different types of vegetables that you can grow indoors, so you’ll find something that you enjoy. Give it a try and see how gratifying it is to eat veggies that you grew yourself.