The Power of Plants: National Stress Awareness Day

We’re coming up to National Stress Awareness Day again (3rd November) so we thought it pertinent to consider the power of plants to de-stress us.With stress named and shamed as making the risk of death 5 times more likely and exposed as the culprit of a loss of up to 20 million days for businesses, it’s time we looked at ways to improve our lifestyles and put stress back where it belongs!“We know from various studies that plants help to reduce stress – one of the biggest causes of heart disease as well as costing businesses through absenteeism. Just one plant can have an amazingly positive effect on people reducing their stress levels by 50% (¹),” says eFIG’s (²) chairman, Thomas Palfreyman.Research into the effects of stress show that it can make death 5 times (³) more probable causing heart disease, heart failure and strokes.Whilst the Health & Safety Executive statistics record that 13.5 million days were lost as a result of stress between 2007 and 2008, a survey conducted last year by workplace consultancy Croner, revealed that 50% of workers feel more stressed than they did the previous year and have calculated that this could push the figure up to 20 million.The research found that the top three causes of stress for UK employees were work (63%), finances (62%) and the economy (49%).Croner comment that high levels of stress could lead to absence, staff turnover and poor morale in the workplace and advise, “Stress issues should not be put on the back burner as it has a direct effect on productivity and impacts on an organisation's reputation and customer satisfaction. The problems that cause stress should be tackled head on.”More to the Power of PlantsWe know that plants can help to keep us calm by reducing the physical symptoms of stress i.e. lowering pulse rates and blood pressure. Research from Australia earlier this year reported that just one plant could have a really positive effect on people’s moods and reducing depression and anxiety by 50 & 60%.Plant-induced calm employees are more satisfied with their jobs, less likely to jump ship and join another company, more focused, perform better by as much as 12% and are more motivated. If businesses used plants as part of their stress management programmes, they could have a very positive effect on the bottom line.With National Stress Awareness Day coming up, maybe it’s time to relook at your stress management policies? And if you need to get in touch with a professional, eFIG trained and accredited landscaper please see the eFIG interior landscape association website.
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robert pryor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I have a 6ft pair of Niwakis, wish i’d had them years before I did. I initially got the 8fts and immediately realised they would be a pain for the majority of hedges I used to cut. I think they are brilliant just make sure they are seated properly.…"
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Adam Woods replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I wouldn't cut a hedge without one. Anything over 6' you should get with 3 adjustable legs, otherwise they can be unstable if you lean - but positioned correctly they are the only way. 
Befrore retirement I had an 8' and a 4; . The 4' went in the…"
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John F replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Yes had that scenario where you can't reach a fiddly bit no matter what ladder and have to balance on the apex of a shed roof or do best job painstakingly with a long reach pole pruner . "
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PGM replied to PGM's discussion Grass Cutting 2026 Season
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Duncan Neville replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I'm very wary of these tripod ladders, I took a life changing fall from the top of a 12ft tripod. Now I only use them myself with great care. The issue is that they are very unstable at the top if you lean to either side, and they go with no…"
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Billybop replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"the tripods are good but in some scenarios the wide base and the fact the 3rd leg has to be placed some distance away from the step part for stability makes this large foot print impractical eg when cutting hedge behind a shed or greenhouse with…"
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Graham Taylor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Never tried these but always thought they look a bit of a pain to cart about. Looking at the picture, seems you're quite away from the hedge so you have to reach out more?   I just use ordinary aluminium extension ladders that you can easily adjust…"
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Sam Bainbridge replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Tripods are better than any other ladder that's a fact. You can cut hedges that are lower than the ladder but it is more awkward, I have a 6ft amd a 12 foot been using both for the last 15yrs and haven't come stuck yet. Believe me once you've had…"
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Intelligent Landscapes replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I agree with HB. 12 foot Henchman with 3 adjustable legs are fantastic and we use them all the time."
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Honey Badger replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
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matt replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"i have two sizes and couldnt be without them, as use the smaller set for lower hedges so ladders never in the way and ive never bothered with the platform ladders"
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Does moss always = full renovation

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