The Flower Effect
Posted by Dr. Judy at 3:00 am
© 2010 Dr. Judy Krings
“Get Flowers, Get Healthy!” What? Like we needed more reasons to get ourselves flowers? But this research is uber-cool!
According to research conducted by Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the Human Development Lab at Rutgers University, “flowers have immediate and long-term positive effects on reactions, mood, social behaviors and even memory for both males and females.”
If you think flowers are just for beauty or fragrance, guess again.
All age groups in the study exhibited emotions of extraordinary delight and gratitude after receiving flowers, encouraging more positive behavior in social activity – such as eye contact and sincere smiling. The mere presence of flowers in subjects’ homes led to increased contact with friends and family, indicating that we share with our loved ones when happy emotions are triggered. Flowers are a natural mood booster with direct long-term positive effects on emotional well-being; authenticating our compassionate instinct to send flowers to sick or healing friends.
Which of your character strengths are coming out to play with the flowers?
- Is your curiosity urging you find a book on flower arranging?
- Are you using your creativity to create a stunning floral centerpiece ?
- Is that your appreciation of beauty and excellence you are using as you snap a picture of your fresh flowers?
See you in a bit. I am going out to pick myself a big, luscious, aromatic bouquet.
