Ancient cultures certainly recognized the phenomena involving the connections between human experience and flowers, which explains the consistent presence of flowers at important societal ceremonies, such as births, marriages and funerals.

Bouquet of White Roses With Yellow Calla Lilies | Image: PhotoRack

Besides the symbolism flowers represent (the German philosopher Goethe claimed that when he looked at a flower with the naked eye, he could instinctively experience our whole cycle of existence), as well as the “meanings” associated with individual flower varieties or colors, there is certainly much more. Flowers truly do touch us profoundly and mysteriously.

Flowers, Feng Shui and Positive Welfare

Flowers help us achieve improved health, happiness and productivity. For instance, for those who practice Feng Shui, flowers help balance the energy between natural and manmade objects that is central to Feng Shui.

Rose Bridal Bouquet | Image: Magnus Rosendahl

Drawing from science, several universities have released similar studies finding solid links between flowers and human health, happiness and workplace productivity, confirming what many have observed intuitively — and seeming to verify what ancient cultures have emphasized for thousands of years.

For example, Rutgers University’s study revealed “the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed,” according to Dr. Jeannette Haviland-Jones, professor of research at Rutgers and lead researcher on the study. “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,” explained Haviland-Jones.

Could it be science is finally catching up to this power that flowers possess, much like the medical field has come to accept acupuncture as a viable, mainstream solution to a wide range of human health problems?

Real-Life Affirmation

You don’t have to convince Dianne Morgado, Morgado Nursery (Keaau, Hawaii). Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991 and having left a career in banking and finance behind, Morgado was invited to help a friend with an orchid-growing operation he was starting up. Stressed out, feeling down and without much self-confidence, Morgado discovered that growing and just being around orchids was a “life-affirming and life-changing” experience.

She was so taken by the experience that she decided to start her own orchid farm in 2002. Today, it has three greenhouses and is still growing. Not surprisingly, Morgado credits orchids with helping make her a cancer survivor. Listening to her speak so lovingly of orchids is much like reading the noted 19th century French author Marcel Proust, who — when thinking of the silk-and-satin texture of orchids — spoke of “the passionate longing one feels sometimes for a particular flower.”

White Wedding Bouquet | Image: PhotoRack

Flowers’ Energetic, Magnetic Attraction

What seems to be the unifying theme here with acupuncture, Feng Shui and the therapeutic and uplifting effects of flowers, is energy. Perhaps the Ancients were right and the secrets of health, happiness and productivity is the flow of energy within us, within our environment and the recognition that flowers enhance connectivity between the two.

It is fitting that the flower industry is now in the position of offering consumers a range of products, not just for their beauty and artistry, but more importantly because they provide that valuable connection and balance between the natural world and our own stressed-out world.

This makes it even more important for anyone who cares about flowers to work toward supporting a goal of providing the freshest, longest-lasting flowers that will encourage everyone to make flowers part of their daily lives.

Written by

Terry Johnson

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Valentine’s Day Flowers and Chocolates

The celebration of Valentine’s Day began long before Joyce Hall—the founder of Hallmark Cards—created his first greeting card. In fact, the oldest-known valentine still in existence was a poem that Charles, the Duke of Orleans, wrote in 1415 to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London. And long before Charles put a passionate pen to paper, at the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day Flowers: Pink-Roses

So forget all the naysayers who bash us starry-eyed philosophers as we wait breathlessly for the amorous day’s arrival. If you have even a sliver of a romantic bone in your body, you can support this holiday of love without an ounce of guilt.

Once you’ve wrapped your arms around the day, however, what is the best way to celebrate it? Giving loved ones a card is obviously a lovely gesture—and lots of folks do that. (In fact, about 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually.) But wouldn’t you rather gift your sweetheart with something scientifically proven to enhance his or her life? A present that lifts the mood and encourages positive thoughts? No, not medicinal marijuana! We’re talking about the time-proven, sweetheart-swooning tradition of giving flowers.

Yes, it’s actually true that researchers have studied the phenomenon of flower giving and discovered it creates a measurable physical reaction in recipients. According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner.

“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 lead researcher on the study.

Red Roses and Chocolates

What’s more, the moment your loved one sets eyes on the colorful blossoms you bestow upon them, little chemical fireworks go off in their brains to create an immediate improvement in his or her happiness. Even better? After all the chocolates are devoured and your loved one is wallowing in a sugar-induced coma, your gift of flowers continues to have a long-term positive effect on your sweetheart’s mood.

So when you hear some cynic pooh-pooh the idea of giving flowers on Valentine’s Day, nip that naysayer’s negative analysis in the bud. Pull a posy from the bouquet intended for your honey, hand it over to that skeptic and watch his or her pessimistic attitude drop away like petals on a puff of air.

Written by

Gina Kellogg

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Don’t wait until your sweetheart appears with a bouquet of blooms to give your home some floral flair. The health benefits of adorning your abode with flowers are worth splurging on the blossoms for yourself. Science proves it.

Emotional Benefits in a Vase

A behavioral research study conducted by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School (Boston), reveals that people feel more compassionate toward others, have less worry and anxiety, and feel less depressed when fresh-cut flowers are present in the home.

“Other research has proven that flowers make people happy when they receive them,” Etcoff says. “What we didn’t know is that spending a few days with flowers in the home can affect a wide variety of feelings.”

The Home Ecology of Flowers Study at Harvard uncovered three main findings:

Flowers feed compassion

Study participants who lived with fresh-cut flowers for less than a week felt an increase in feelings of compassion and kindness for others.

Flowers chase away anxieties, worries and the blues

Overall, people in the study simply felt less negative after being around flowers at home for just a few days. Participants most frequently placed flowers in their kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms – those areas of the home where they spend a lot of time. They reported wanting to see the blooms first thing in the morning. Etcoff explains, “The morning blahs, it turns out, is a real phenomenon, with positive moods – happiness, friendliness and warmth, for example – manifesting much later in the day.” She adds, “Interestingly, when we placed a small bouquet of flowers into their morning routines, people perked up.”

Living with flowers can provide a boost of energy, happiness and enthusiasm at work

Having flowers at home can have a positive carryover impact on your mood at work, too. The study found that people were more likely to feel happier and have more enthusiasm and energy at work when flowers were in their home living environments.

Flowers Make People Happy

“As a psychologist, I’m particularly intrigued to find that people who live with flowers report fewer episodes of anxiety and depressed feelings,” Etcoff says. “Our results suggest that flowers have a positive impact on our well-being.”

Etcoff was also surprised at the long-lasting effects flowers had on people’s moods. “What I find interesting is that, by starting the day in a more positive mood, you are likely to transfer those happier feelings to others – it’s what is called mood contagion,” Etcoff explains. “And, the kitchen is the place where families tend to gather in the morning. Imagine how big a difference a better morning mood can make?”

For more on the positive benefits of flowers to your emotional and mental health, read this article by InLieuOfFlowers.info.

Written by

Gina Kellogg

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