Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and slow days at the office where the only things you can do to burn time are stare at the ceiling or sneak off to the bathroom to check on all your social media profiles. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was something that you could introduce to your office space that could occupy your down time and encourage you to be more productive throughout the week?

We can’t hear you through the screen, but we bet you shouted a hearty “yes” at your monitor! Life in the office doesn’t have to be slow and devoid of energy. A fresh new office plant is exactly what your workspace has been missing. Office plants are an ingenious way in which you can both become more productive and more expressive while you work. Here are a few of the reasons we believe they can make all the difference in the world.

I know what you’re thinking: how could adding a distraction benefit me while I’m in the office? To answer that, you have to consider that some distractions can actually have a positive impact on your work. Procrastinating and becoming sidetracked are inevitable, but the activities that you choose to engage in can vary greatly. Turning to your phone can have extremely negative effects on your productivity, and as you add more games and social media apps to it, the list of possible distractions grows!

Avoid using your phone when looking for a breather throughout your workday, and turn to an office plant instead! Happy, healthy office plants are the perfect companion for everyday office life, as they provide you with a number of positive distractions. Whether it’s feeding the plant, offering it water or simply grooming its foliage, these plants allow you to take your mind off work for a moment without opening you up to many of the additional distractions that are commonly associated with your phone and other electronics!

It doesn’t matter where you work, what time of day you clock in or how many windows the building has; offices always seem to find a way to become stuffy and humid. This inevitable truth is something you’re bound to encounter at one point or another in your life, and the question becomes how you can combat the grogginess of a poorly ventilated office space. Plus, a stuffy environment can lead to feelings of being trapped, which causes your mind to wander when there’s still work to be done.

Once again, office plants are here to help! These plants are well-known for their air purifying capabilities, and while a single plant on your desk might not change the stuffiness of the entire office, it’s the first step in the right direction. As more office plants are introduced around you, the air will enjoy a multitude of purifying sources, and you won’t feel anywhere near as entrapped and groggy as you once had. Of course, it still won’t protect you from that annoying coworker who simply won’t stop talking about the magical weight loss pills he just bought a 4-year supply of, but that’s a topic for another time!

We’ve all heard the phrase, “The best job is the one you’re passionate about.” Your best work is always going to be something that interests you or allows you to follow your own passion. Office activities are no different, so it’s important that you inject some personality into your workspace. This can be achieved in many easy ways, such as bringing knick knacks to customize your space or stashing a few books on your desk for use during breaks.

Office plants are also an ideal fit here, as plants offer a personality all unto themselves. The type of plant that you maintain is oftentimes a reflection on your own personality. If you like to care for plants that require extra maintenance, then you’re more of an overachiever who loves getting things done with precision, while providing for a safer plant indicates that you’re a more laid-back spirit that simply enjoys seeing life flourish at its own pace. Either way, you’re going to love the way that your chosen plant reflects your personality, and your coworkers are going to love learning more about you as well!

These are just a few of the benefits that come with owning an office plant, and to be quite honest, we could keep on going. On top of providing you with a sense of zen and being a great distraction during the boring parts of your workday, you’re going to find that they offer a sense of accomplishment that makes each week that much better. Plus, once your plant is off and running, others around you are certain to take note and follow suit, turning your office into a floral wonderland. If that doesn’t sound like an improvement over the usual plain, monotonous office setting, then we don’t know what does!