Did you know that civilization has been utilizing flowers for mental health improvements since 2,500 B.C.? Fresh flowers effortlessly brighten and bring joy into any room. It turns out that there are actually countless reasons why flowers make us feel instant jolts of happiness, and these reasons extend well beyond their captivating beauty. There are scientific research studies that explore and confirm why flowers do indeed have so much power.
The gifting of flower arrangements is a universal gesture of support, love, and care to the people in our life that we cherish. Red roses are historically linked to romance. We send flowers as a symbol of comfort to someone grieving the loss of a loved one. They are also widely used to decorate celebrations such as weddings. Let’s dive a little deeper into why flowers are widely regarded as multipurpose.
The Obvious: Flowers Are Asthetically Pleasing
I am someone who loves to consistently have fresh flowers in my home. When I first moved away from home and into my very first apartment, someone sent me a bouquet of pink roses. When I woke up in the mornings and saw them sitting on the kitchen counter, I smiled. Whenever I walked past them, I would stopped for a whiff would instantly feel a mood boost.
The Not-So-Obvious: Flowers Have Literal Healing Powers
After that pink rose bouquet bid farewell to me, I realized that those flowers had a deep impact on me and I needed to know why. I noticed that while they were in my home, my mood was uplifted. And when I was experiencing moments of stress, smelling them had an instant calming effect on me. This prompted me to do some research on flowers for mental health and I learned that those roses were doing far more than just sitting on my counter looking beautiful. Unlocking the power of flowers for mental health is what began my practice of regularly purchasing them for my home.
4 Powerfully Boosting Benefits of Fresh Flowers for Mental Health
Now let's explore a few of benefits of fresh flowers for mental health:
1. Fresh Flowers Are a Soothing Connection Tool.
When I was growing up, my grandmother had large hydrangea bushes in her front yard. Hydrangeas were her favorite flowers and so she had my grandfather plant them for her in front of the porch. When they were in bloom, I could see bright pink specks in the distance as we drove towards her home. Those pink specks signaled to my young brain that we were inching close to what grandmothers typically bring - comfort.
Last week, I was walking towards the park near my home. It was an unusually windy day, and I started seeing flashes of pink and lavender across the street from the park. As I got closer, the flashes started to take form and my brain finally registered what I was seeing - newly planted hydrangea bushes. I stopped and closed my eyes. I immediately felt transported back to her front yard. The yard where I was free to run and play until I tired myself out because I knew she was not very far watching over me. Just like she is today.
Seeing the hydrangea bushes in the park reminded me that while she is no longer here with us physically, I can still feel connected to her. Those swaying shades of pinks and purples reminded me of her beauty and her spirit in that moment. Softly bold. Quietly taking up so much space. I felt close to someone I miss so much in the physical world. Flowers can soothe and connect you to loved ones that have passed on. To moments or occasions you never want to forget. To beautiful experiences that you hold dear. When you are feeling down, getting flowers that remind you of a happy moment in time can bring you immediate comfort.
2. FRESH FLOWERS CAN BE A TOOL TO IMPROVE SELF CONCEPT.
Our favorite romantic movies almost always have a scene where an admirer surprises a love interest with flowers. It is the gesture of romance known across the world. Whenever we are on the receiving end, we feel special. However, many of us have subsequently developed the limiting belief that we only deserve flowers when they are given to us by other people. It has become a symbol for worthiness that can be harmful to one’s self image.
The truth is that not only are you allowed to gift yourself things that make you feel good, you absolutely should be doing so. In fact, these sort of self gestures should be made more frequently during times when you are struggling with anxiety or depression. Self Care has been proven by studies to clinically reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. I implement the practice of giving myself flowers on my self proclaimed “Self Care Sundays.” Fresh flowers in your home that you bought for yourself serve as a reminder of self appreciation and worthiness. The act says "I appreciate me. I am worthy of this." If you implement a similiar practice of gifting yourself flowers regularly, you will take notice of improvements in your self-image and mental health.
3. THE SMELL OF FRESH FLOWERS GIVES YOU THE FEELS.
No, literally. Did you know that the smell of flowers can induce positive physiological and psychological responses? A 2013 study on responses to floral scent found that “the fragrance enhanced positive feelings such as vigor, whereas it reduced negative feelings such as depression.” This is one of countless studies performed on the positive benefits of floral scents. They are scientifically proven to boost your mood, invoke feelings of happiness, invigorate you, reduce stress, and alleviate symptoms associated with a variety of mental health issues.
4. FRESH FLOWERS CAN SPARK CREATIVITY.
In a creative funk? Trust me, I get in those spaces sometimes where I need some inspiration to get the creative juices flowing. Another way to use flowers for mental health improvement is to put out some bright colored flowers near your at home workspace to spark creative ideas. Orange, yellow, and green flowers or plants in particular can provide us with the inspiration we need to bring creative ideas into fruition. So move that yellow sunflower bouquet to your desk when you need to creatively express yourself. Another amazing way to boost creative function is to consider adding lavender flowers to an existing bouquet. The scent of lavender is known to induce focus, which comes in handy when you need to buckle down on a creative project.
Want Even More Benefits From Your Flowers?
Try drinking them! No, seriously. If you want to prolong the mental health benefits of flowers while also throwing in some physical health benefits, try steeping some flowers in hot water to brew a floral tea. Disclaimer here: please do your research on edible flower variations. My favorite flower to drink as tea is dried hibiscus! Hibiscus flowers have a sweet, tangy flavor that I like to sweeten with raw honey. Not only is the flavor of this tea great, I feel relaxed and calm shortly after drinking it. This effect is due to the high level of flavonoids found in hibiscus; flavonoids are known to reduce anxiety and depression-related symptoms. Hibiscus flowers also have a high Vitamin C content, which can promote glowing skin from the inside out. Even more physical health benefits of hibiscus include the potential reduction of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Check out this article to learn about more edible flowers and the benefits that can come as a result of consuming them.
Now That You Know How to Utilize Flowers for Mental Health...
I encourage you to try utilizing flowers for your own mental health benefits. And keep in mind that flowers don’t have to be expensive. The flowers at your local grocery store, the sunflowers on the side of the road, or a large bouquet that you order from a florist can all have the same potential benefits. You deserve to explore new ways to make yourself feel good.
Enjoy!
-JoMarie ♡
