Studies show that Americans spend ninety percent of their lives indoors. Yet modern scientific research indicates that the indoor environment may be as much as ten times more polluted than the outdoor environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently ranks indoor air pollution as one of the top five threats to public health.

Currently our indoor air quality is a factor we simply ignore. We have blindly accepted our living and working conditions without questioning the effects of a lack of oxygen in the air.  What’s even worse is the presence of invisible microbes absorbed through our lungs as we spend our days breathing inside buildings. (Hundreds of poisonous chemicals such as formaldehyde are released by furniture, carpets, and building materials, and then trapped by closed ventilation systems.)

Not only is there is no fresh, clean air available to breathe, most of us have a lifelong habit of shallow, limited upper chest respiration. Our poor, oxygen-starved brain cells are slowly dying day by day; it’s no wonder that many people have memory lapses and daily experience bouts of foggy thinking.

In research designed to create a breathable environment for a NASA lunar habitat, noted scientist Dr. B.C. Wolverton discovered that houseplants not only produce oxygen, they are the best filters of common indoor air pollutants. The following excerpt is from his book entitled: How to Grow Fresh Air; 50 Houseplants that Purify Your Home or Office; (Penguin, 1996).

“Plants are the lungs of the earth: they produce the oxygen that makes life possible, add precious moisture, and filter toxins thereby improving the quality of the air we breathe.  Houseplants can perform these essential functions in your home or office with the same efficiency as a rainforest in our biosphere.”

Carefully selected plants and trees can create a “breathable environment” that serves to improve our health and wellness. Just a few deep, diaphragmatic breaths several times a day (while relaxing) can make a significant difference in the way we work, think and feel.

Scientific Background Regarding the Relaxation Response

Recently, scientists mapping brain activity with PET scans have shown that subjects looking at imagery, hearing soothing words and sounds, (i.e., simply thinking about, listening to, and seeing pictures of natural scenery), have electro-chemical responses in specific areas of the brain even more effective in reducing stress than taking an actual vacation. Isn’t it remarkable that an equivalent, if not even more dramatic, relaxation response results from auditory and visual simulation than by literally being “out in nature”?

It has also been known for decades that certain types of music produce a relaxed state of mind as the brainwaves synchronize to harmonious rhythms.

The breathing of fresh oxygen while alternately stretching, holding and then releasing the muscles, further relaxes the nerves, significantly reducing mental and physical tension.

Each of these elements can be experienced in The Green Oasis – fresh air, visual imagery of nature; conducive music and/or the natural sounds of ocean waves, rainforests, waterfalls, etc.; instruction in stretching, breathing, and relaxation techniques.

In this environment, the thoughts tend to become less frantic and frazzled, and the brainwaves are inclined to develop a tranquil (Alpha) rhythm. In a relaxed mental state, we can drift peacefully for the moment, forgetting ourselves, the world outside the door, its troubles and demands. Tensions let go.  We feel somehow transformed, rejuvenated, refreshed. We are reminded that we are still part of the grand scheme of things beyond our immediate daily surroundings that restores our healthy perspective on life.

If you are a health practitioner this is a very therapeutic experience that you can provide. Now, on a regular basis in your clinic, The Green Oasis Program can offer your patients an opportunity to take dramatically effective virtual mini-vacations whenever they need to simply relax and “get away from it all”. While breathing in the fresh, clean air that is being constantly generated by living plants and trees, (and negative ion generators), and using the multi-media resources available, combined with your other therapeutic procedures, patients will walk out of your office feeling really great – renewed, relaxed and recharged (a state highly likely to enhance their healing). The Green Oasis(s) in your practice will benefit patients during their visits to your office and set a valuable example for them to duplicate in their homes and offices.

In business, management, sales reps, and employees will all benefit from a psychologically healthy workplace. Results have included improved morale, performance, and productivity; better customer relations and interpersonal employee relations; less stress related time-off (reducing insurance claims); new hire attraction as well as long-term employee retention.

The Green Oasis can also benefit you in your own home.



PLANTLIFE in our indoor air spaces

Let's cultivate PLANTLIFE in our indoor air spaces
Bring oxygen into the atmosphere we breathe
Purify the air – naturally!

Consider your indoor air quality
Include living plants and indoor trees within the interior spaces.
Humans and animals, dogs, cats, birds . . . all will thrive

By breathing the oxygen produced by living greenery.
Then, every breath delivers oxygen molecules to the bloodstream.
This each of us can do for ourselves at only the cost of time.

Invest your time wisely.
It will pay dividends in the future.

Go to places where the air is fresh and clean – on vacation.
Return home healthy and relaxed.
Have a home full of sunshine and fresh air
Remain relaxed and healthy throughout the year.