We all know that feeling of delight when someone surprises you with fresh flowers or you place a bouquet in your home and feel that the space is brighter. Well, science has now proven that flowers have real health benefits, including improving emotional health!
Recent studies conducted at top educational institutions show the positive health effects of the emotional and behavioral benefits of flowers and plants. Rutgers research shows the “presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.”
1. Flowers Make You Smile
It turns out that flowers have an immediate impact on happiness no matter your age. A recent study revealed that “participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.”
And these happy feelings don’t just fade in a day. In fact, flowers have been shown to have long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling “less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.”
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2. Flowers Make You More Compassionate
“Flowers feed compassion,” says the Home Ecology of Flowers Study at Harvard. Study participants who lived with fresh cut flowers for less than a week felt an increase in feelings of compassion and kindness for others.
Could it be that flowers have a special magic that touches our innate sense of appreciation and respect for what is delicate in the world? Or perhaps the lovely colors and luscious scents make us feel more interconnected with those around us. Either way, compassion is a wonderful trait to cultivate in any setting!
3. Flowers Improve Your Mood in the Morning
Not a morning person but wish you could be cheerful when the alarm clock rings? Recent research confirms that flowers might be the perfect pick-me-up for millions of Americans who do not consider themselves “morning people.”
Participants of a behavioral study conducted by researchers at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed that they feel least positive in the early hours but reported being happier and more energetic after looking at flowers first thing in the morning. They even reported a boost of energy that lasted through their day.
So don’t be shy about placing a fresh bouquet or a few stems on your bedside table or dresser and see how your mood shifts in the morning. Here are some creative ideas for displaying flowers in small vases in your bedroom.
4. Flowers Connect You With Loved Ones
According to research from Rutgers University, the presents we pick to convey our special messages say a lot about us. Those who send flowers, in comparison to other gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people.
In fact, both men and women who give flowers are perceived as happy, achieving, strong, capable and courageous people. They may even come across as more emotionally intelligent and take time to understand the feelings of others.
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5. Flowers Create Positivity in Your Home
Where you place flowers says a lot about your home. A recent study showed that arrangements were often placed in areas that are open to visitors – such as foyers, living rooms and dining rooms – which suggests that flowers are a symbol for sharing.
Flowers impact people emotionally at home. Overall, people in the study simply felt less negative after being around flowers at home for just a few days. They also reported less anxiety and worry.
Having flowers at home can have a positive carry-over impact on our mood at work, too. The study found that people were more likely to feel happier and have more enthusiasm and energy at work when flowers were in their home living environments.
Here are six flowers that will brighten your home this spring.
6. Flowers Improve Your Productivity at Work
Feeling good at work improves productivity and a positive environment for your whole team. That’s why great employers manage their physical environments as much as the workload.
Studies at Rutgers and Texas A&M universities have “proven that something as simple as adding flowers to the environment enhances moods, social interaction and on-the-job creativity and productivity.” A previous Harvard study confirmed that flowers have an energizing effect on people at work.
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