Having plants around isn't all about your health, although a recent study done by Kansas State University showed that having plants in hospital rooms speeds recovery rates of patients post surgery, The Royal College of Agriculture in Circencester, England found that students demonstrated 70% greater attentiveness when plants were present in the classroom.
There are many plants that require little maintenance, but provide substantial benefits, making most argument for having them unnecessary. Why wouldn't you want them?
This fiddle leaf ficus is to die for, no?