Flowers and plants, as we all know, are natural healers. Our blooming friends hold the keys to a better mood within their delightfully delicate petals. They can also have a significant impact on our health by reducing stress and assisting us in finding peace of mind. What's the science behind it, though? Is it really as simple as putting a full vase of flowers on your table to calm your nerves?
Colour Therapy
We all associate different colors with different emotions: red can connote love, anger, or danger, while yellow is typically associated with joy and sunshine. Blue is associated with calm or sadness, while green is associated with safety, which could explain why having a lot of leafy plants around creates such a relaxing atmosphere.
Furthermore, each of us has our own personal relationships with colors, which can evoke happy or sad memories and influence our reactions. Choosing the color of your flowers suddenly becomes a bigger decision than you anticipated! Of course, it's also an excellent opportunity to elicit a specific emotion or feeling in the recipient of the flowers.
Flowers can help you sleep
Sleeping well is essential for overall health and well-being. The scent of lavender has been shown to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, allowing you to unwind! The more relaxed you are, the more likely you are to fall asleep. Other flowers, such as Gerberas, can help you sleep by increasing the oxygen level in your room at night. Orchids absorb carbon dioxide during the day and release oxygen at night, so keeping these flowers on your nightstand can mean restful sleep.
Fresh flower evokes memories
Smell is one of the most powerful senses, capable of eliciting immediate memories. With just one flower, the strong scent of a rose or a lily can fill a room. Choose flowers or bouquets that remind you of happy memories from your wedding, family members' favorite flowers, or a special occasion.
Flowers can help you heal
A recent study by the American Society of Horticulture looked into whether plants have a therapeutic effect on surgical patients. What were the outcomes? Flowers can actually make you feel better physically!
The study involved 90 patients who were divided into two groups: those who had plants in their rooms and those who did not. Patients who were exposed to flowers and plants had lower blood pressure and heart rates, lower pain ratings, less anxiety and fatigue, and more positive feelings and satisfaction with their rooms.
Flowers are not only beautiful, but they also help to heal and nurture!
Flowers can make you more productive
Plants in offices have been shown to improve brain performance and encourage creativity in studies. Sparse, clean offices may appear impressive to passers-by, but they provide no visual stimulation for those who must spend the entire day there, potentially lowering productivity.
It isn't just workers who are affected. Plants in classrooms and lecture halls have also been shown to increase attendance in studies. Plants, it turns out, can make you happier and more attentive, no matter where you are!
