Fresh blooms make people smile. If you’ve ever received a surprise bouquet, you know the feeling. On difficult days, I always find that a vase on my desk or dining table lifts the mood somehow. Flowers for stress relief just seem to work. Why is that, though? Here’s how floral arrangements work to enhance well-being.
What is it about floral displays that brightens people’s lives? Research suggests it’s a combination of psychological and physiological factors — flowers affect emotions, but they also have direct, measurable effects on the body’s stress response.
Many studies have shown that floral arranging can lower stress and anxiety, improve mood and increase self-esteem. Laboratory experiments have proven that looking at fresh roses can reduce cortisol levels — the stress hormone — as well as soothe the body’s fight-or-flight response. This promotes a feeling of calm and relaxation.
A growing body of research into the psychology of flowers notes that they evoke many positive emotions, including profound feelings such as love, joy, happiness and tranquility. Floral elements in the home or workplace have been shown to boost people’s sense of contentment and well-being.
The colors, scents, visual beauty, connection to nature or emotional attachment to the symbolism of certain stems can have profound effects. Whatever flowers mean to you, here’s how to incorporate them into your regular self-care routine.
What you choose to use will depend on your personal preferences as well as your budget and the availability of blooms in your area. However, here’s what the science says:
A 2023 study found that blue and white flowers are best for relaxation, while orange, white, yellow and red are best for a more uplifting vibe. Crucially, however, it also noted that blossoms in a person’s own favorite color had the best effect on them — so you know best.
According to research in 2022, different scents led to different emotional responses in participants. Flowers with mild, gentle scents, like stocks or carnations, resulted in a calm and focused mood. Those with a strong, powerful scent, like lilies, led to feelings of tension and anxiety.
However, like the color study, this one also found that a person’s preferred scents gave the best results. If you are arranging posies for someone else, subtle fragrances are best — but for yourself, go with your gut instinct.
A surprising amount of research has been done into how specific types of flowers impact emotions. A roundup of these findings shows that:
If you are aiming for a particular feeling and one of these flowers matches your intention, see if it works for you in practice.
In the Victorian era, most people understood the secret language of flowers — the traditional symbolism each one carries. The psychological and physiological effects are more important for emotional well-being, but if you are into symbology, choosing blooms to convey a particular meaning might also be beneficial.
Overall, however, common sense and science both tell me that the best flowers for stress relief are simply the ones you most enjoy or that are meaningful to you for personal reasons. Choosing local, native blooms is the most eco-conscious and sustainable option, but follow your heart.
Having chosen your materials, it’s time to get creative! Here’s how to do a basic display:
There are many different ways to arrange flowers, and this is just one example. Follow your instincts for what looks and feels good to you. Take your time, enjoy the process and don’t be afraid to experiment. As you get more experienced, you can use items like floristry wire to create more complex structures.
Flowers for stress relief can only work for as long as they are fresh and vibrant. Change the water regularly and consider storing your arrangement in the fridge overnight. That may sound odd, but blooms stored at cooler temperatures last longer — it’s why florists have cool storage.
Think about where to display your arrangement for maximum benefit. Some people like to put the vase on their nightstand or in their bathroom so it’s the first thing they see in the morning and the last thing they see at night. Others prefer to place it on their dining table to enjoy during a meal or on their desk to reduce stress at work.
The motive here is to benefit your own emotional well-being, so choose a location that will have the most impact on you.
Handling flowers mindfully can enhance their stress reduction effects. When working with your blossoms:
To take mindfulness a step further, you may want to investigate the Japanese art of ikebana — a flower arranging philosophy emphasizing harmony and balance as well as space and shape. It is often considered a spiritual or sacred art, requiring you to be fully present in the moment and recognize your relationship with the cosmos and the natural world. It’s something I’ve taken up and I enjoy it immensely.
Using flowers for stress relief is a simple, accessible self-care practice that anyone can enjoy. Both science and instinct support their calming effect, especially when carefully chosen for their color, scent or personal meaning.
Mindfully arranging blooms can boost your mood, lower tension and add a sense of gratitude and beauty to daily life. It does mine. Make the power of flowers part of your regular well-being practice and see how much joy you can add to your world.
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