Tag home life

Indoor Plants Are Good For You

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Cactus Plant Tree Pot Nature Environmental Conservation Concept

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As an avid plant lover, I have enjoyed the many benefits of being surrounded by beautiful greenery in my home. I honestly believe that having indoor houseplants offers a multitude of benefits. Here’s a closer look at why incorporating greenery into your home is a great idea:

Health Benefits

  1. Improved Air Quality – Many houseplants, such as spider plants and snake plants, help remove toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air, creating a cleaner living environment. I have several snake plants (Sansevieria genus) in my home, and appreciate the fact that they clean the air while looking very attractive and interesting.
  2. Increased Oxygen Levels – Plants release oxygen during photosynthesis, which can improve air circulation and overall respiratory health.
  3. Humidity Regulation – Plants release moisture through transpiration, which can help maintain healthy humidity levels, reducing issues like dry skin and irritated sinuses. I also help my plants out by running two humidifiers in my den and kitchen to optimize plant functions.
  4. Reduced Allergens – Some plants, like peace lilies, can trap dust and allergens, helping those with sensitivities breathe easier.
  5. Stress Reduction & Lower Blood Pressure – Studies have shown that being around greenery can help lower stress levels and even contribute to reduced blood pressure. When I am in my home, I truly feel like I am in a garden paradise, and I feel instantly calm.

Decor Benefits

  1. Aesthetic Appeal – Houseplants add natural beauty to any room, complementing different interior design styles. I make sure to stage my plants in such a way that they make sense in my interior living space, without sacrificing their ambient light needs.
  2. Versatility in Design – Whether you want a bold statement piece like a fiddle-leaf fig or a subtle accent like a small succulent, there’s a plant to match every space.
  3. Enhanced Space Perception – Large plants can fill empty corners, creating a fuller and more inviting atmosphere. If I lived in a larger home, I would definitely have tall plants strategically placed in empty corners.
  4. Seasonal Adaptability – Unlike furniture or decor that can feel outdated, plants offer a timeless appeal and can be rearranged easily for a fresh look.
  5. Brings Nature Indoors – For those in urban settings, houseplants help create a connection to nature, bringing an element of the outdoors inside.

The desk sentinels around my workspace

Mood Benefits

  1. Boosted Mental Well-Being – Studies suggest that caring for plants can reduce anxiety and depression, providing a sense of accomplishment and responsibility. I know that I have a responsibility to keep my plants as healthy as possible, and I make an effort to address their needs on a weekly basis.
  2. Increased Productivity & Focus – Plants in workspaces have been shown to enhance concentration and creativity, making them great additions to home offices. There are plants all around my desk space, and I absolutely love them.
  3. Better Sleep – Certain plants, like lavender and jasmine, have calming properties that promote relaxation and better sleep. I only wish I could keep such plants alive in my home! Instead, I use scented candles to impart a calming mood.
  4. Mood Elevation – Simply looking at greenery can evoke feelings of happiness and tranquility, making plants a natural mood booster.
  5. Encourages Mindfulness – Watering, pruning, and tending to plants can be a meditative and mindful practice, helping people slow down and enjoy the present moment. Despite the fact that my weekly plant watering is a bit of a chore, I find myself getting into a zone which is meditative and beneficial.

Final Thoughts

Houseplants do much more than just decorate a space—they contribute to better air quality, reduce stress, and create a soothing ambiance. Whether you’re looking for a productivity boost, improved well-being, or a stylish home upgrade, adding indoor plants is a simple yet impactful way to enhance your living environment.

Living Alone Is Underrated

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Having a space to yourself isn’t just a luxury—it can become a necessity for mental well-being, peace, and autonomy. When you share a living space with someone who doesn’t contribute, the weight of responsibility falls on you, turning your home into a place of frustration rather than rest. This became glaringly apparent with my most recent roommate situation, when I put up with this person’s complete refusal to participate in household cleaning, household repairs, or the purchase of paper and cleaning products which we both used.

I spent 3 years harboring frustration over having to deal with areas my roommate had sullied and selfishly left for me to clean, making me feel like a live-in housekeeper. Then I had surgery in January of this year, and was unable to come home for two weeks. When I returned home, I noticed that my roommate had taken the liberty of rearranging my dining room table, and had also completely taken over my side of the refrigerator. Although I promptly put the furniture pieces back to their original orientation and put my food back on my side of the fridge, I was perturbed. What I didn’t know was that she was planning to give notice that she was moving out. I guess she figured that since she would be leaving, she could encroach upon my fridge space and move my furniture around. That was the last straw for me, so I was actually relieved when she gave her 30 days’ notice.

At a certain point, the financial strain of living alone is worth the trade-off for personal freedom. You get to set your own rules, maintain the level of cleanliness that keeps you comfortable, and decorate in a way that truly feels like home. You don’t have to tiptoe around someone else’s bad habits or pick up their slack. There’s no awkward conversations, no unspoken resentment—just the quiet relief of knowing everything is exactly how you left it.

Peace of mind is priceless. Sure, budgeting might be tighter, but waking up in a space that is yours—where you don’t have to compromise on cleanliness, noise levels, or household responsibilities—makes all the difference. Sometimes, the real cost of a cheap living situation is your own sanity.

The Benefits of Houseplants

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Since one of my biggest interests lies in houseplants, I thought I should cover the health benefits of growing greenery within a household. Houseplants offer a range of health benefits, both physical and mental, making them a great addition to any home or office space. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Improved Air Quality

One of the most well-known benefits of houseplants is their ability to purify indoor air. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Additionally, certain houseplants, such as peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants, are known to remove toxins from the air, including formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. This can lead to cleaner, fresher air indoors, which may help reduce respiratory issues and improve overall health.

2. Stress Reduction

Several studies have shown that being around plants can help reduce stress and anxiety. The presence of greenery has a calming effect, potentially lowering heart rates and blood pressure. Simply interacting with plants—whether it’s watering them, trimming leaves, or just admiring their beauty—can trigger a relaxation response, helping you feel more grounded and less overwhelmed. Houseplants offer a range of health benefits, both physical and mental, making them a great addition to any home or office space. The best part of having a large collection of houseplants is that my home has a Bohemian, Zen-like feel to it which people find relaxing and welcoming.

I will say that watering the plants in my collection is a bit of a hassle, even considering the fact that I only water half of the plants each week. Part of the issue is that I have over 100 plants inside my home, and many of them are suspended from ceiling hooks, making it necessary for me to cart around a stepladder on plant watering day. However, as long as you have a manageable assortment of plants in your residence, the task shouldn’t be too strenuous.

3. Enhanced Mood and Mental Health

Houseplants can have a positive impact on mental well-being. Studies suggest that spending time around plants can improve mood, reduce feelings of fatigue, and increase feelings of calm and contentment. The act of caring for a plant, and the sense of responsibility that comes with it, can also boost feelings of accomplishment and purpose. For people experiencing mild depression or anxiety, the nurturing of plants can offer therapeutic benefits, acting as a form of mindfulness or relaxation practice.

4. Improved Productivity and Concentration

Research has shown that having plants in the workspace or at home can improve focus, cognitive function, and productivity. Plants can increase attention span, enhance memory retention, and even promote creativity. In offices, employees with plants in their workspaces often report higher satisfaction, fewer sick days, and improved mental clarity. The presence of plants can help people feel more connected to nature, even in an urban setting.

5. Better Humidity and Temperature Regulation

Houseplants naturally release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration, which can help maintain a more balanced level of humidity in the home. This is particularly helpful in environments where air conditioning or heating systems dry out the air. Proper humidity can reduce the risk of dry skin, sore throats, and respiratory irritation. Additionally, plants can help moderate temperature fluctuations by absorbing sunlight and releasing moisture, leading to a more stable and comfortable living environment.

6. Better Sleep

Certain plants, like lavender and jasmine, have been shown to promote better sleep. The calming scents emitted by these plants may help to lower anxiety levels and encourage relaxation before bedtime. Moreover, the act of caring for plants and spending time in nature can also help you develop healthier sleep habits by reducing stress during the day.

7. Boost to Immune System

Some research suggests that exposure to plants and nature can have a positive effect on the immune system. Spending time in green spaces, even within your home, can increase the production of white blood cells, which help defend against illness. Additionally, houseplants can encourage you to spend more time in your living space, which could lead to healthier habits, such as better hydration, nutrition, and sleep, all of which support a stronger immune system.

8. Reduction in Noise Pollution

Houseplants can also absorb sound, which helps reduce noise levels in indoor environments. In a busy home or office, the presence of plants can create a more peaceful atmosphere by dampening echoes and muffling background noise. This can lead to improved concentration and overall well-being, particularly in noisy urban environments.

9. Connection to Nature

Having plants in your home helps foster a sense of connection to the natural world. In urban environments, where access to parks and green spaces may be limited, indoor plants can provide a touch of nature, helping to counteract the effects of “nature-deficit disorder” (a term coined by Richard Louv to describe the negative impact of disconnection from nature). This connection can improve your mental and emotional well-being, helping you feel more grounded and centered.

10. Aesthetic and Environmental Benefits

In addition to the direct health benefits, houseplants also improve the aesthetic value of a space, making it feel more welcoming and vibrant. A well-decorated home or office with plants can enhance your environment, making it feel more lively and positive. This positive visual impact can indirectly boost your mood and contribute to a healthier mindset.

Final Thoughts

Integrating houseplants into your environment can be a simple yet effective way to enhance both physical and mental well-being. Whether you’re looking to improve air quality, reduce stress, boost productivity, or just make your home more inviting, the presence of plants can have far-reaching benefits for your health. And the best part is that they require relatively little effort to maintain, making them an easy and accessible way to improve your overall quality of life.

New Rug Runners For Our Stairs

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There are two flights of stairs covered in Berber carpet in our place, and because one of my cats enjoys scratching Berber carpet, I purchased rug runners for the stairs shortly after we had moved in so that the carpet would be protected. Since each set of stairs has two L-turn stair landings, I had to purchase three separate rug runners for each set of stairs, but I had found some reasonably priced versions on Amazon. However, five years later, the rug runners were looking pretty shabby, partially because the scratch happy cat had switched to scratching the runners (never mind that he has had access to numerous scratching posts throughout the house), and partially because of wear and tear from foot traffic. The runners had definitely gotten to the point where they were a bit of an embarrassment, but since I remembered spending a small chunk of change on the existing runners, I wasn’t too eager to plunk down more money to get replacements.

However, I found myself anxious to shift the energy in my home after one of my cats and my mom died, so I went back onto Amazon to reorder the same runners. Unfortunately, the sellers I had purchased from before were no longer selling rug runners, and none of the other runners I found on Amazon were customizable to the dimensions which I needed. That spurred me to investigate other sites which specialized in rug runners, one of which actually had fair pricing, especially when compared to a couple of other sites which were prohibitively expensive. I placed my order at the end of July and was thrilled when the runners arrived within four business days.

The uninstallation of the old rug runners was exhausting and took about two and half times longer than the installation of the new rug runners, but once the old ones were removed and replaced by the new ones, the place was transformed into a much more welcoming home. I even decided to place patterned runners in one stairway, and though I was initially very nervous about how they would look, I absolutely love them. The quality of the new runners is far superior to the old ones, with a nice, springy feel under the feet. If you are in the market for rug runners of any kind (kitchen, stairs, hallways), I would definitely recommend runrug.com,

This is the first runner for the first set of stairs…

This is the main stretch of runner for the first flight of stairs

The third runner for the first flight of stairs

Our new Afrikans print taupe runners for the second flight of stairs

Second runner…

The final runner for the second flight of stairs

I hope that these new rug runners last for a very long time!

Bad Roommates – Sean

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Copyright: nuiiko

Over the past 36 years, I have had a lot of roommates, some of whom were pretty cool, one who was awesome and became one of my dearest friends, and a handful who were such rotten people that it took me a while to recover from the craziness they brought into my home. The list of bad roommates is actually larger than I would like for it to be, but I figured I would select the three most despicable ones to discuss in this blog post. The ONLY reason why I have changed the names of these individuals in my stories is because one is certifiably nuts (borderline and histrionic personality disorder…no, I didn’t live with Amber Heard!), and the other two are addicts who can’t be trusted in any way, shape or form.

The first selection on my list of worst roommates ever was Sean, a very cocky Korean guy who assured me when he interviewed for the available room that he was a successful businessman with a number of businesses, one of which was the local Fosters Freeze. He stated that he needed to use my desktop computer in the den because his was at one of his offices and he was unable to access it on a regular basis. I agreed to let him use my computer, but I password protected all of my financial documents and other sensitive information.

In the mornings, Sean would come downstairs to the kitchen wearing a full business suit, and he would tell me about how busy the day ahead would be for him. Then I would leave for work, returning in the early evening to see Sean sitting on the sofa watching TV. The first hint that Sean was shady was when he asked me to please put his work van on my automobile insurance policy. He told me that the insurance rate was very high, and that by adding his vehicle onto my policy, the rates would drop for both our vehicles. He also promised to pay the entire premium. I firmly refused, even though he kept pleading with me to add his van, and he even insulted me, telling me that I was passing up an “excellent deal”.

During the time Sean was living in my house, we had a housekeeper who would clean every two weeks. One day, when she was finishing up her cleaning, she pulled me aside and said, “Miss Stacey, there’s something strange about Sean. When you are leaving for work, he is in a full business suit, but after you leave, he goes to his room, changes into a t-shirt and shorts, then goes down to the den and plays poker on your computer. He is still there when I am ready to leave. I just thought you should know.” My suspicions were ignited by this information, and I became very uncomfortable around him.

Ultimately, Sean just completely disappeared one day, and I couldn’t get in touch with him. So I ended up going to the Fosters Freeze since he had mentioned that he owned that business. I drove up and saw a Korean woman in the order window, so I figured she was Sean’s sister. I approached her and introduced myself, and then asked if she knew where Sean was, since I hadn’t seen him in close to a week. Her response was, “You’ve seen Sean? Come to the back entrance. We need to talk.”

Once I was at the back entrance, Sean’s sister proceeded to tell me that he was a gambling addict and had gotten into big trouble with a number of individuals who were after him for lost bets he never paid up on. She also told me that Sean had emptied out their parents’ savings accounts in a desperate effort to obtain more money, and what made that part of the story even worse was that she told me their father had cancer and was now unable to pay for chemotherapy treatments due to Sean’s theft. She told me to go into his room and just sell whatever might be of value, because she said he would never come back to the house. When I returned home, I went up to Sean’s room, where I found several pairs of crew socks and his bed. He had taken all of his Armani suits and other valuables and bolted.

Next week I will talk about another horrible roommate I had. It’s definitely been an adventure having roommates!

Putting Down Roots

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There are a number of people I know who are keenly interested in living in different locations, and who dream of hopping from one place to another every few months in order to have a change of scenery and a fresh start. I am the exact opposite. Though I love traveling to different places both within and outside of the United States, I have never had any interest in living anywhere other than California. I also HATE moving, and would rather put down roots and have a stable home environment than to move frequently.

Once I was on my own, I lived in one apartment for nine years before moving. The only reason why I had to move was because I was about to start medical school in a different county. I lived in a few places during medical school and residency, but that was mainly because I had roommates, then got married. Once my marriage was destined to meet its end after a few years, I moved back to Los Angeles and planted new roots again.

I like being able to come home and know where everything is. I like the fact that I have worked out at the same gym for over ten years now, that I go to the same grocery stores, the same fuel stations, and take the same routes to work. It’s not that I don’t like change, because the cadence of my day to day life has enough randomness and unpredictability. But at least the one constant in my life is the fact that I can go to the same home base I have gone to for years.

Before you assume that I have a ton of stuff in cold storage, I can assure you that I keep my belongings well sorted and organized, and I don’t like to hold onto a lot of clutter. Though I have a backup supply of toiletry items and food items, I truly do use them on a regular basis, so the supply is always moving. I also impose limits on the amount of clothing I can keep, because I don’t want my dresser drawers, cabinets or closet overflowing with unnecessary items.

Even though I have done a fair amount of traveling in recent years, I always relish the comforts of home. There is nothing more satisfying for me after traveling (especially if I travel abroad) than returning to the home I know well. You won’t find me fantasizing about living in a different place, because I am perfectly comfortable where I am. Barring any sudden financial windfalls which would enable me to buy the house of my dreams, I am staying put for as long as I can.