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Wed Aug 07, 2024
Our world today is built to be fast-paced and full of modern conveniences. Whether it’s Smart Home technology or the constant ability to be online, many of us benefit from the new age. However, due to this hustle and bustle lifestyle, it can feel like we’re constantly drowning ourselves out in white noise and responsibilities. What if a few little flowers could change that?
Luckily, the professional local florists at Forest of Flowers have the history, the knowledge and the know-how to get the most out of the mood-boosting power of flowers!
Flowers are undeniably beautiful. However, did you know that there is research on their ability to improve your mood and overall well-being? It’s true – the Society of American Florists did a study on the impact that flowers have on your mood, and what they found may surprise you.
“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,” reported Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Rutgers as well as the lead researcher on the study.
The participants of the study were 147 women, ranging equally in important markers such as education, age, career, and lifestyle. The participants also knew they were going to be receiving a gift delivery but didn’t know what the gift would be.
Researchers measured the behaviour and emotional expression of the women as they received the gifted flowers. Their smiles and verbal reactions were coded and recorded into a computer within the first five seconds of the delivery to measure their immediate reaction.
Interesting, isn’t it? But that isn’t all.
We all remember the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent impact of global isolation. This global shutdown included the closure of green areas that also had a significant impact on those struggling with the pandemic. A study conducted by the NCBI showed some significant findings when it came to the study of flowers and their impact on overall mood and physiological well-being.
According to a study conducted on the impact of flowers and their colours during lockdown, viewing flowers has similar impact to being in natural scenery.
Participants in this study looked at yellow, red, and white flowers for three minutes each while their brain activity, heart rate, and skin response were measured. Afterward, they completed questionnaires about their feelings.
The study found that those who viewed yellow or red flowers experienced a greater improvement in their overall mood, energy levels, and sense of relaxation compared to those who viewed white flowers. They also reported feeling more cheerful and comfortable.
This research suggests that even brief exposure to certain flower colours can have a positive impact on our well-being, offering a quick and simple way to boost our mood and energy.
OK, we’ve talked a lot about studies – but what about the general way that flowers make us feel?
Like many aspects of life, delicate blooms represent the beauty and fragility of life’s treasures and can invoke amazing feelings for both those who give and those who receive them.
Connecting with others is imperative for human happiness and social development, so it goes without saying that there’s a real benefit to connecting over floral gift giving.
Giving someone flowers symbolize many things: investing in a relationship, conveying a certain message (such as love, forgiveness, condolences, celebration, etc), and offering something precious.
Flowers can also last a long time, giving a sense that you’re giving somebody something that you want to impact them for the foreseeable future. The tender love and care required to keep flowers blooming strong is a beautiful piece of symbolism that really highlights the intimate connection that comes with exchanging flowers.
Want something to symbolize an intimate level of passion, platonic or not? See our True Romance features Pink Stargazer Lilies, Red Roses, Pink Snapdragons, Red Carnations and Pink Alstroemerias. It’s a beautiful connection of pinks, reds and hints of white.
Perhaps the most essential part of giving flowers as gifts is that they can be completely personalized to fit the individual. While our professional florists have multiple creations you can choose from based on occasion, they can also make custom pieces based on their expertise and your personal preferences. We can make handcrafted floral arrangements that suit your needs!
Maybe you have someone who really likes orchids, gerberas, daisies, and pastels – our florists can craft something to suit that unique taste. Personalizing a gift for someone based on the things they love really shows them that you care and lets them know you’ve been thinking about them and pay attention to the things that are important to them.
Not only that, but you can add personalized accompaniments to flowers: teddy bears, chocolates, cards, or even a personalized bow can all be special aspects of your personalized floral arrangement or bouquet.
Want something a little more personalized? Forest of Flowers offers a monthly subscription service of hand-tied bouquets! Get new fresh flowers every month for somebody special.
Being surrounded by flowers is not only beautiful to look at, but it creates memories that can last a lifetime and lift us out of poor moods. Maybe lilies remind you of your grandmother’s garden, or roses remind you of your anniversary; some may inspire memories of passion, sympathy, and important milestones.
They also offer memory inspiration through scent and colour; there’s nothing quite so memory-inducing than the sweet smell of sweet pea or jasmine for some, while white roses and purple daisies remind you of a celebration past, like college graduation or moving into your first home.
Need something to inspire memories? See our Pink and White Presentation-Style Bouquet.
The scent of flowers has been shown to relieve feelings of anxiety and help reduce stress, and even ease the milder symptoms of depression. This is why much of aromatherapy uses several floral scents as a part of their practices and why floral scents are popular amongst candle scents.
Many people in our busy world suffer from stress, so it doesn't hurt to include a few natural remedies to help ease those symptoms. Flowers like lavender are often used in stress-reducing products and promote relaxation.
To be clear, we're not suggesting flowers replace your regular medications, therapy, or any professional help you receive to keep you healthy and happy. However, there's rarely any harm in including them as a part of a health or spiritual journey if it aligns with you and your practices.
Like art, flowers can evoke many emotions. Smells, colours, and imagery have mental, emotional, and even physical healing qualities.
Lavender and rose have been proven to impact insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Ambient scents have been shown to improve social behaviours, too, like a willingness to help others.
Also, some flowers are literally used for medicinal purposes – think of how we use chamomile in tea to ease tummies and period cramps. Calendula is also used in many forms of skincare, meaning flowers can also have several topical applications as well.
Amazing little plants, aren’t they?
Fresh flowers are lovely gifts, and even lovelier when they can be used to improve your life and the lives of those around you. Even if you discount all the studies, there’s no denying that a beautiful handcrafted floral arrangement can inspire a better mood and improved sense of happiness.
Whether you’re delighted by sunflowers or dazzled by delphiniums, there’s a little something for you and your loved ones out there. Explore our selection of handcrafted floral arrangements and flower bouquets for more ways to give the gift of fresh flowers!
