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By KARen Rice you At youR BeSt The mood-boosting feeling of rejuvenation many people experience while spending time in nature is not in their heads. In fact, researchers have found that making time to include nature in your daily or weekly routine can have positive and wide-ranging effects on your overall health. That's good news for us here in The Natural State, where opportunities for "nature boosts"abound. The value of spending time outdoors extends well beyond dusting off winter cabin fever, providing long-term benefits that might surprise even the most ardent outdoor enthusiast. A 2018 report from researchers at the University of East Anglia found that living close to nature and spending time outside has wide-ranging health benefits, including a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure. Authors of the report studied data from across Treat yourself to a "forest bath" Improve your health with houseplants There are some easy, inexpensive ways to enjoy the majesty of natural landscapes indoors. Not only can houseplants be used to improve indoor spaces, they also provide various health benefits. Help with allergies According to WebMD, rooms with houseplants tend to have less dust and mold in them than those without any foliage. Leaves and other parts of the plants serve as natural filters, catching airborne particles and allergens. Plants with textured leaves might be especially effective at trapping particles. They may even help filter out VOCs like benzene, acetone and formaldehyde, which can enter indoor air via cleaning supplies, dry-cleaned clothes, furniture, printers, and paints. Put more oxygen into the air The human respiratory system works by bringing in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Plants do the opposite during photosynthesis. They absorb carbon dioxide and then release oxygen. Plants can put much more oxygen into the air, improving indoor conditions. Increase indoor humidity and reduce illness Indoor plants can increase humidity in indoor spaces, which decreases the incidences of sore throats, dry coughs, dry skin, and the common cold. Higher absolute humidity can decrease the chances of survival and transmission of the flu virus. Improve your mood Growing and caring for plants can alleviate everyday stress. Greenery can help people feel more at home and improve mental health. A rehab center in Norway found patients reported a greater increase in well-being four weeks after having greenery added to their surroundings. 6 | yOu at yOur best | NWadg.cOM/yOuatyOurbest March - Natural health & WellNess | suNday, February 28, 2021