Flowers for Self-Care

July 10, 2023 | Wellness

The importance of self-care has become increasingly obvious, and here is where flowers come in!

Flowers play a crucial role in enhancing our mental well-being. They have the natural ability to boost our mood, alleviate stress and promote feelings of happiness — making them a natural tool for self-care.

Flowers are often associated with beauty, love and happiness. But did you know that flowers can also have a positive impact on your mental health?

First and foremost, flowers can reduce stress and anxiety. Being around nature, including flowers, can help lower your cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. Flowers have a calming effect on your brain and can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Additionally, flowers can improve your mood and boost your overall well-being. The sight and scent of flowers can help you feel happier and more joyful, making you more positive and energetic. A study conducted by Rutgers University found that the presence of flowers in the home can even lead to an increase in feelings of compassion and kindness towards others.

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”
— Luther Burbank, American botanist and horticulturist ⁠

Nature provides us with a very simple and accessible way to improve emotional health – flowers.

Flowers trigger happy emotions, heighten feelings of satisfaction and affect behavior in a positive way far beyond what was originally believed.

“What’s most exciting about this study is that it challenges established scientific beliefs about how people can manage their day-to-day moods in a healthy and natural way,” said Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Rutgers.

And the little gestures or compassion you show yourself, such as treating yourself to fresh flowers, can have a powerful impact.

Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. Study participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers, with feelings of delight and gratitude.

Flowers have long-term, positive effects on mood. Participants report feeling less depressed and anxious after receiving flowers, with a higher sense of life satisfaction.

Flowers make intimate connections. and led to increased contact with family and friends.

Flowers are a unique gift with the proven potential to reduce stress — likely because flowers provide the opportunity to connect with nature.

Flowers improve mood. Participants overwhelmingly reported an improvement in their overall mood.

“Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy,” said Dr. Haviland-Jones. “Now, science shows that not only do flowers make us happier than we know, they have strong positive effects on our emotional well being.”

Adding flowers to reduce stress does not require tremendous effort to generate a meaningful effect, said researcher Erin Largo-Wight, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of North Florida. “When life seems to be in a constant state of frenzy, flowers can provide us with a much-needed moment of calm," she said.

And did you know that having flowers in your space can help you heal on a physical level? According to research, there is a reason hospital rooms are filled with flowers, and not just to brighten up the space.

A study of patients recovering from surgery showed that those with flowers in their room had fewer complications than those without. The patients surrounded by flowers needed fewer post-op painkillers, their blood pressure and heart rate measurements were lower, and they were less anxious and fatigued.

Top tips for self-care

Incorporating flowers can be as simple as placing a vase of fresh flowers in your home or office. You can also take a walk outdoors to surround yourself with nature. If you have a green thumb, consider starting a flower garden or growing indoor plants.

Here are some ways to incorporate positive actions into your daily routine:

Surround yourself with flowers: Browse your local grocery store’s flower department. The natural beauty of flowers can put you at ease. And having flowers around helps everything smell so much better!
Color your world: Bright colors promote optimism and a sense of uplift. Choose orange or yellow roses for your kitchen counter or desk, and watch your mood soar.
Find peace: If it seems like nothing is going right today, try flowers in soothing, tranquil colors, such as blues and lavenders. Place a small arrangement on your nightstand or in your bathroom, and experience stress-relieving benefits as you start and finish your day.
Reconnect with nature: Step outside for a fresh perspective. Take a walk in the park, enjoy lunch outside on the porch, browse the farmer's market or head to nearby walking trails. Even a few minutes can help you refresh.
Freshen the air. Sometimes all we need is the air we breathe... but that air, particularly in indoor spaces, can become stagnant with pollutants. Flowers and plants help purify your air and create a healthier environment.
Go on a road trip to a place you've never been before. Pack a picnic for the park, get tickets to see a show, or get out of the city and spend the evening star-gazing. It's a great break for both your mind and your body!
Gift yourself some joy: Surround yourself with simple things. Flowers have the power to open hearts — helping you focus on the positives in your day. Pick out a bouquet at your local store, or send some to your own home. Each time you look at your fresh flowers (or get a whiff of that great scent), you’ll remember that you deserve a little TLC.
Freshen your space: It's the little things in life that can make a big difference. A strategically placed vase adds a wow factor to any room. And if you’ve ever walked through the front door of someone’s home and been welcomed by an arrangement of bright flowers, you’ll appreciate the warm effect flowers have.
Sprinkle your house with small doses of calm: You’ll be amazed how many small arrangements you can get out of a single bouquet. Place a few stems throughout your home for constant reminders to ‘stop and smell the roses.’
Aromotherapy: Another way to incorporate flowers into your self-care routine is through aromotherapy. Essential oils extracted from flowers, such as lavender and jasmine, can have a calming effect on mind and body. Diffuse them in your home or office, add to a warm bath, or use them in a massage.
Have a friend or loved one who could use a boost? Have flowers delivered as a surprise to their door, and watch their ordinary day become extraordinary. It will give you a boost, too.

Get creative: You don’t need to be an artist to get your creative juices growing. Spend an hour dabbling with some paint, grab magazines and make a collage or mood board, or arrange flower stems into a beautiful bouquet.
Help others: Relieve the pressures of the day by doing something nice for someone else. Visit your local flower department and buy two bouquets. Keep one for yourself, then take the other bouquet and “petal it forward" in a random act of kindness. Floral providers—here are more ways you can be involved.

Resources

Treat yourself to a new bouquet to brighten your living space — you deserve it

Flowers bring people together, and it's important to find ways to brighten your or your loved one’s day. We are committed to growing farm-fresh, premium quality roses and flowers to help you live your best, most joyful life. Enhance your home and your life with stunning and sustainably-grown floral designs: