Adding green plants to your workspace is not only good to beautify and freshen up your office. More than that, it is also an effective way to increase oxygen levels in the room and improve air quality. Couples of studies have also mentioned that keeping plants in the office can improve mood and fight anxiety, depression, as well as prevent panic attacks.

As cited in Ambius, incorporating plant life into design of office space will make staffs enjoy many physical and psychological benefits of office plants. Given its advantages, it is time for leaders to consider keeping one or two plants in the workplace.

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However, there are too many choices of plants to choose. To help you get the right ones, these are some useful plants you can start to grow to decorate your room while helping reduce your stress.

Lemon balm – Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has been used at least since Middle-Ages. A research from Verywell Health found that smelling lemon balm can actually help you perform better as it reduces stress and anxiety, gives you better quality of sleeping, and reduces frequency of benign heart palpitations.

Rosemary – Rosmarinus (dew of the sea), famously known as rosemary, can give a unique scent to your room. It has also long been known for its healing and cognitive benefits helping with everything from hair loss to memory lapses. One study mentioned that sniffing rosemary does not only help reduce anxiety or stress, but also increases memory by 75 percent.

Passionflower – Passionflower has a healing aroma. According to a study, passionflower reduce symptoms of anxiety as effectively as prescription drugs. It is often used to treat insomnia. Other benefits of passionflower are reducing inflammation, addressing ADHD symptoms, lowering blood pressure, reducing depression, as well as calming your mind.

Lavender – The aroma of lavender could be used as emotional anti-inflammatory. In one study, Greek dental patients were less anxious if waiting room was scented with lavender oil as it gives a sense of relaxation. Also, putting few drops of lavender oil on your skin is one of easy ways to get into your system. Lavender scent, somehow, works like magic.

Bergamot – Bergamot has uplifting scent that can reduce anxious and sad feelings. It also helps reduce stress and agitation. A study shows that Bergamot scent gives feelings of joy, freshness and energy by improving circulation of your blood. Thus it help with stress induced loss of appetite, work related stress, and anxiety among people with mild depression and even pain relief.

Peppermint – Peppermint is invigorating and stimulating. It helps fight fatigue and improve concentration. A research reveals that peppermint relieves headaches and nerve pain. The menthol cones that evaporate into air become all the rage. It is one of strong mental and physical stimulant that can help one concentrate and stay awake and alerted.

Ylang ylang – Cananga odorata, commonly known as ylang ylang which mean flower of flowers, has a sweet and floral scent according to a research. Because of the sweet scent, ylang ylang can give positive effect on your mood. It can act as mild anti-depressant and can help release negative emotions such as anger or jealousy.  Not only that, it also reduce insomnia, high blood pressure, and lower fast heart beat (nervous feeling).

Chamomile – According to a study, chamomile can make you more relaxed and reduce depression. The scent is sweet, apple-like, and herbaceous. It can help soothe nervous tension and promote better sleep.

California Poppy – Herbalists have been known to use California Poppy for many potential health benefits, including promoting mood health and providing a normal sleep response. The scent of California Poppy flower is perfect for calming anxiety attack.

Jasmine – As cited in Telegraph, research found that “sweet smell of jasmine is as good as valium at calming nerves with none of side effects.” The smell of jasmine flower also reduce level of anxiety, promote cognitive tests faster, and help maintain focus throughout the day.

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