Humans and flowers share a special bond. They have continued to attract us even though they don’t offer physical sustenance. I was watching a documentary on Charter Cable and was astounded to learn that ancient Egyptian graves that are 120,000 years old had stone drawings of flowers. Flowers must have meant something to them!
The Impact of Flowers on Emotional Health
Flowers offer a multi-sensory experience from color, smell, texture, and even taste as they are used in creating herbal medications. In a study conducted at Rutgers exploring flowers and life satisfaction, it was found that the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions. It even affects our social behavior positively. A team of researchers observed the behavioral and emotional responses of people receiving flowers for over 10 months. Here were their findings:
- Flowers impact your happiness. The participants of the study express true excitement and smiles upon receiving flowers. This type of reaction is universal, it occurs in all age groups.
- Flowers have a lasting impact on moods. The participants reported feeling less anxious, nervous, and depressed after receiving the gift of flowers. They also demonstrated more life satisfaction.
- Flowers encouraged the participants to contact their friends and family.
Hence, science has proven that flowers don’t just make you happy, they have a positive impact on our emotional well-being as well. The study also explored that if flowers are placed at the entrance of a house such as a foyer or living room, it brings a positive emotional feeling and makes your home’s atmosphere welcoming.
Ways Flowers Affect Emotions
By exploring the basic relationship of humans and flowers, we can understand how embodied aesthetics of flowers enhance positive emotions:
Flowers like other species grow and propagate when pollen and insects interact. Plants use aesthetic characteristics for attracting humans. Flowers evoke positive emotions.
Flowers possess a strong visual component. They activate multiple parts of the human brain by creating perceptual and stimulating experiences. The shape, color, pattern, arrangement of the petals all activate the brain. Hence, flowers help us organize perceptual experiences, improve our mood and make us happy.
The sight of flowers also stimulates auto-biographical memory. The mind automatically creates a web of positive associations when one is around flowers. The color, shape, and smell of the flower connect to memories and stimulate the recalling and accessibility of long-term memory.
Flowers and Their Colors
It’s believed that each color of flowers has a different impact on the mind and body. Here are ways each color influences our cognitive abilities:
Red
Red-colored flowers are said to improve performance. They improve your focus. This color is also associated with love and romance. No wonder ancient Romans and Greeks identified roses with the goddess of love. The elegance and beauty of red roses express new beginnings and hope. This explains why roses are always present at weddings.
Blue
Blue-colored flowers boost creative thinking and promote trustworthiness and calmness.
Yellow
Color flowers are associated with happiness, sunshine, and radiance. They also stimulate the nervous system and improve memory. Yellow daisies and gerberas in yellow, orange, and red are known for bringing back memories of summer days or times of laughter spent outdoors.
Pink
Pink flowers are associated with joy. Hydrangea is a flower that creates a cheering effect when it’s bloomed. It’s commonly grown in home gardens and is known for its therapeutic effects.
Flowers and Aromatherapy
Ever smelled a flower and felt fresh? That’s because fragrance affects the brain. Phenylethylamine present in roses gives them a signature scent. This chemical also contains amino acids that reduce the breakdown of beta-endorphins. These are the hormones that make us feel euphoric.
Some scents help you relax and even promote sleep. Who knew something as simple as flowers can have such lasting effects on the brain!
Plant Care
It’s not just the sight, aesthetics, and smell of flowers that have a positive impact on humans. Taking care of the flowers and nurturing them as your own baby influences us positively as well. Planting and taking care of flowers gives a sense of responsibility. It also boosts self-esteem and when they bloom, this gives a sense of achievement. One finds value in having something that relies on our love and cares for survival. more info to visit: http://thearticlepost.com/
