When Susan came back from lunch she complained of something in the office air that was making her feel nauseous. ... Read more...

1. How to plant wellness instantly into your workplace.
When Susan came back from lunch she complained of something in the office air that was
making her feel nauseous. She needed to leave and was unable to return for the rest of the
week. Her absence would prove costly to her organization as their head customer service
representative. Customers would ask for her and she wasn't there. It hurt business.
Not an uncommon scenario. For some of us, things like indoor odors, car exhaust, pollutants
or second hand smoke are easily tolerated. Some of us can even dance our way through a
high risk chemical factory with no after affects. I recall having a neighbor who smoked a pack
of non filtered cigarettes every day for over 60 years. He passed away not from smoking but
from a broken heart after losing his wife.
But those of us who are hypersensitive? Chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can
actually become a life threatening issue.
There are different degrees of tolerability to pollutants because we all have a unique physical body and a unique
metabolism. Then there's Sick Building Syndrome, a huge issue. The World Health Organization reported in 1984 that
"up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings were causing health hazards for employees."
Here's a simple, natural, cost effective way to improve your office environment wellness level. The answer will
surprise you!
By introducing plants into your office you can improve your indoor air quality and at the same time impact
psychological health by reducing stress and boosting task performance. Have you tried a "hemigraphis alternata"
plant in your office lately? According to lead researcher at the University of Georgia, Stanley Kays, this plant "is one
of the highest rated ornamentals for removing indoor air pollutants." You can download this study which is published
via a HortScience search.
The paper goes on to suggest "simple decorative indoor plants have the power to effectively remove harmful volatile
organic compounds, or VOCs, from the air. VOCs are emitted by paint, varnishes, adhesives, furnishings, clothing,
solvents, building materials, tap water and more." Hard to get away from, no doubt.
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2. Chemicals such as benzene, xylene and octane have been connected to cancer and other health problems. The study
concludes: "Laboratory experiments and quasi-experimental field studies have documented beneficial effects of
indoor plants on outcomes such as psychophysiological stress, task performance, and symptoms of ill health."
Kays calls it the "phytoremediation" factor. NASA has echoed the same conclusions on the benefits of using indoor
plants.
Many of us spend up to 90 percent or more of our time indoors so the results of these studies should come as very
good news.
Some plants to consider including in your health arsenal are the Areca Palm. The areca palm is considered an
efficient air humidifier. This plant releases large amounts of water into the air while removing many chemical toxins.
A six-foot areca palm apparently can let loose up to one liter of water a day. The Gerbera daisy has been shown to
effectively remove Trichloroethylene concentrations from the air.
Trichloroethylene is used in some printing inks, paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.” The Peace Lily has been
shown to remove benzene concentrations in the air. Benzene is a commonly used solvent. The common Green
Spider plant has been shown to be on top of the list to remove concentrations of formaldehyde in the air. The whole
idea of bringing plants to your workplace can costs little or nothing especially if your employees are encouraged to
supply their own.
Introducing the idea of plants in the workplace might receive some push back by those who believe they were born
with a "brown thumb". Even so, the benefits of promoting routine plant care through your workplace will bring
people together and many times brown thumbs will turn green.
Some of our clients have reported how almost magical having plants can be to improve involvement, a sense of
care/community and engagement. Ingredients that will impact the work environment for the better. Many have
found that employee dis-engagement can be costly.
Physical and Mental Benefits of House Plants.
Plants can improve physical health by exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen. They remove toxins and pollutants and
filter out chemicals including formaldehyde. These actions can decrease headaches, allergies, colds, clear congestion
and even improve your sleep.
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© 2012 Taico® Incentive Services Inc.

3. The upshot here is obvious. As wellness is the buzz, creating a wellness environment will reduce their healthcare
difficulties, increase employee retention and could even take advantage of tax incentives and grants. Some
employers see this plant approach as a way to also support and maintain their "culture of safety." This is one great
source for these kinds of plants.
Healthier employees are more productive workers. and that's how to plant wellness instantly.
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Taico® :: 67 Patterson Village Ct., Bldg F :: Patterson, NY 12563 :: 845-228-GIFT (4438) :: fax: 845-228-5136 :: info@taico.com
© 2012 Taico® Incentive Services Inc.