Is Floral Arranging Worth It?
There’s no shortage of hobbies to devote your time to today. Should floral arranging really be one of them? It turns out that there are many more benefits to filling your surroundings with beautiful flowers than most people realize. Here are some of the advantages of finding a passion for floral design.
Boost Your Mood Naturally
Filling your living space with flowers is a proven way to improve your mood. Research shows that they can have an immediate impact on your happiness levels by decreasing anxiety and making homes feel more welcoming. The consequences are especially profound for seniors and the sick — putting floral arrangements in hospitals and nursing homes can significantly improve the quality of life for residents.
Temporarily Transform Your Space
Looking to give your living room a refresh? Fresh flowers are an easy (and temporary) way to do so. The right arrangement can immediately transform a drab corner, and you have total freedom to switch up the look every time the mood strikes.
Showcase Your Creativity
Floral arrangements are an under-appreciated art form and an opportunity for creative expression. Each flower petal acts like paint for you to transform the “canvas” of the bouquet.
Likewise, there’s evidence that surrounding yourself with flowers can improve creative thinking. One study found that employees performed better on creative tasks when they got to look at flowers before they began. Keep some in your office, and you might soon come up with your best ideas.
Reduce Stress
Not only are floral arrangements soothing to look at, but the process of making them can lower your stress levels. Designing and building a floral arrangement is a type of playtime for grownups that leads to relaxation. In fact, in centuries past, the Japanese viewed arranging flowers as a form of meditation.
Connect with the Natural World
Almost everyone could benefit from more nature in their lives. Bringing flowers into your home lets you embrace the outside world in an interior environment. Floral arrangements can help you fight nature deficit disorder and feel more connected to the natural world, all from the comfort of your living room.
Promote Relaxation
Essential oils are popular for a reason — they bring natural scents into our homes. Skip the diffuser and instead incorporate fresh flowers into your space. Many varieties, like roses and lavender, have scents that release feel-good chemicals in your brain as you breathe them in. There’s also evidence that merely looking at flowers can reduce your heart rate and promote a sense of relaxation.
Aid Memory and Recall
Can floral arrangements make you act smarter? Some studies seem to say yes. Research from Germany found that certain floral scents aid memory formation and offer a higher-than-average chance you’ll recall information than if you weren’t exposed to them.