Health Benefits of Flowers

From long-stemmed roses to striking mixed arrangements, flowers are the gift of choice to brighten someone’s day no matter what the occasion. Flowers not only look pretty and add color in a room, they do more.  Did you know that flowers have actual health benefits, such as improving moods, providing an energy boost and increasing productivity?

According to the article, “An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotions: Flowers,” which examines behavioral research studies at Rutgers University; flowers had the following immediate and long-term effects:

Other studies have looked at the presence of flowers in specific locations such as the workplace and hospital rooms. In both settings, flowers resulted in positive outcomes. They increased productivity and creativity among workers in spaces where flowers and plants were visible. They also promoted healing and shorter hospital stays in patient rooms.  

In addition to the emotional and mental impact of actually seeing flowers, blooms offer other healing properties as well. As live plants, they help purify the air by taking in carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. In dry climates, having flowers indoors helps to increase humidity. By doing this, they balance the negative effects of dry air such as colds and other respiratory ailments.

As we move into the shorter days and cooler nights of fall, there is nothing like fresh flowers to lift spirits and add life to a room. Next time you send a bouquet, remember that you are not only making the recipient smile, but potentially improving her well-being as well.