Last spring we hosted a Girls’ Day of Empowerment. One of the activities for the girls was to make a vision board of whatever they wanted. We made one too. I created a “post divorce” vision board. The main themes were having more fun, feeling more empowered, healing, doing more things I enjoy, and brightening my space with flowers. It wasn’t planned. These were the things that jumped out at me as I looked through the magazines. I look at that vision board every day and I smile. It could also be because I cut out the word “BADASS” and glued it to the board. That makes me feel a little sassy! Getting back to flowers; I felt like I wanted more flowers in my life so I joined a CSA that allows me to cut fresh flowers. Every week I cut flowers, stick them in a mason jar or one of vases and put them on my kitchen table. They make me feel silly and peaceful.
Flowers are more than just stems and pedals that look pretty in a vase. There are so many beneficial healing properties of flowers!
- People feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety, and feel less depressed when fresh-cut flowers are present in their home.
- People tend to feel happier and have more enthusiasm and energy at work when flowers were in their living environments.
- Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. A recent study revealed that participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers.
- Research on older adults found that those who got flowers performed better on memory tests and were happier.
- Keeping plants and flowers in the workplace has been found to stimulate the minds of workers by helping them concentrate, leading to more accurate and higher-quality work.
- The presence of flowers in patient recovery rooms greatly reduces healing time. Even a view of a garden through the window helps accelerate healing time.
How do flowers have so much power over our moods? It’s just a flower! “Just” is too insignificant of a word to use. Flowers are powerful! The color of the flower, the shape of the pedal, and the fragrance of the flower can all play a part in how we react to flowers.
Through color therapy, we know that color affects our brains and can change our moods. The color of a flower can range from feelings of nostalgia, romance, comfort, relaxing, passion, to calming and relaxing. A variety of bright and bold-colored flowers sends a message of celebration. Hmm, I love the bright colored Gerber daisies. What does that mean? Choose the color of the flower based on what you need.
- Red color is traditionally associated with love and romance. This has a positive effect on the immune system. Consider sending red flowers to someone who has recently had surgery, or experienced and illness. Red is also an energizing color for those who suffer from fatigue or exhaustion.
- Violet has a calming effect on the mind and nerves. It is uplifting and encourages creativity.
- Yellow, psychologically, is the happiest color in the spectrum. It symbolizes the sun and invokes happy and radiant feelings. It is a friendly color that encourages communication. Yellow also stimulates the memory and the nervous system.
- Orange conveys optimism and encourages socialization. It is also associated with determination and success.
- Blue is most often named as a favorite color. Just as the blue sky and the blue ocean are considered constants in our world, blue is perceived as dependable and trustworthy. Blue invokes feelings that are calm, cool and sedate.
- Green creates a feeling of tranquility. It conveys a sense of freshness and renewal. Green also signifies prosperity and progress.
- Pink is associated with joy. Brighter pinks, like reds, stimulate energy, increasing the blood pressure, heartbeat and respiration. Softer pink hues convey a sense of sweetness and romance.
- White symbolizes openness. White blooms are most often associated with purity, honesty and perfection.
Fragrance is another way that flowers affect the brain. For example, phenylethylamine is a chemical in roses that gives them their signature scent, which makes us feel euphoric and in love. Other flower scents help promote sleep, relaxation and health. Stinky or fragrant, it’s all up to the person sniffing.
The shape of flowers can also affect your mood. Curvy shapes help you relax, and spiky shapes energize you. I’m noticing that I have a lot of smooth shaped leaves in my living area and in spiky ferns in the studio where you need energy. Totally not planned, but apparently it’s a good choice!
Going beyond flowers, plants have similar qualities and effects on you. Here is a list of plants that are good for you and your environment:
- Basil: contains a compound which is known to have a positive affect on people’s mood it is also what gives the plant its great scent.
- Roses: A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology says that people who looked at roses felt more comfortable and happier in general in their lives.
- Peace Lily: removes moisture from the air, acting as an organic air purifier. If you breath fresh air you feel fresh.
- Orchids: they help improve air quality, relieve stress and improve focus.
- Lavender: the aroma of the flower is said to reduce anxiety.
- Geraniums: It is said to promote peace of mind due to its smell.
- English Ivy: naturally purifies air.
- Boston Fern: it is said to be one of the best air filtering plants.
- Chrysanthemums: have been shown to lessen symptoms of worry and stress.
- Snake plants: the smell can help relieve anxiety it also improves energy levels.
- Lisianthus: is said to encourage creativity and free thinking.
- Jasmine: is said to lower stress and anxiety levels, it also improves sleep.
If you’re as much of an organized planner and purposeful doer as I am, you’re going to go through this email and make a list of the color of flowers you want to have and the plants you want to buy and where you want to put them. I’ve already done it! HaHa! For the fragrant effect of flowers, I use essential oils also. I diffuse them and put them on my body. I can vouch for their healing properties! Go ahead, make your list and then go shopping. Divorce or no divorce, flowers are good for everyone!
These are my two favorite flowers: gerber daisies and cala lilies.
