Flower Power

Flowers are, by nature, attention-getters. Their primary purpose is plant reproduction. Plants that rely on pollinators like bees and butterflies evolved brightly colored petals and alluring scents to attract these critters. And let’s face it: It’s hard for humans to ignore these stunners as well.

“They have that power to stop us where we're at,” says Potter, who notices the effect flowers instantly have on customers who walk into her shop. The display of blooms “just snaps them out of what they're doing in their busy day-to-day [lives] … and they're transported somewhere else.”

That shift of attention out of our mental to-do lists and into the present moment is the essence of mindfulness, a practice of becoming aware of our thoughts and surrounding environment. It’s been linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression.

Feasting your eyes on flowers can lower physiological signs of stress like elevated blood pressure and cortisol (a stress hormone). It can also decrease negative emotions and feelings of anxiety. Remarkably, these beneficial effects hold true even when you look at a mere picture of a flower.

Every rose has its thorns

Potter compares floral arranging to painting. It’s a visual experience of employing the colors and textures of flowers to create a work of self-expression.

But floral design is also tactile. It compels you to touch all the parts of a flower. Contemplating flowers at this detailed level is a stress-reliever for Potter when she’s caught up in work deadlines. She might notice that a flower’s leaves have been munched on by an insect or that a bloom is double-headed—idiosyncrasies that remind her not to get hung up on perfectionism.

“One of the greatest gifts I can ever be given by the imperfections of nature is the acceptance of myself,” she says.

Arranging flowers can provide soothing not just in our most vulnerable moments, but also among our most vulnerable populations. Studies show that floral arrangement activities can improve motor coordination among elderly individuals with dementia, ease pain and psychiatric symptoms in fibromyalgia patients, and boost brain function among those experiencing schizophrenia or traumatic brain injury.

If floral arranging isn’t your cup of tea, why not try another hands-on floral activity? Planting flowers and pressing flowers are proven stressbusters, too.

Stop and smell the roses

The distinctive scent of flowers offers another pathway to their power. Potter finds that the aroma of a bud, a fresh-cut stem, or even its sap can awaken powerful memories and associations.

“I'll constantly be transported back to something from childhood … where I would be creating or exploring or being curious in nature,” says Potter. Connecting to that more carefree part of herself feels like a salve amid the productivity-driven pressures of modern life.

Research supports the idea that flowers’ scents can ease our frazzled nerves. Smelling the perfume of rose oil in the workplace can reduce job-related stress. The scent of lavender essential oil can help those with sleep issues get a better night’s rest.

Inhaling floral essences can be medically beneficial, too. One study showed that aromatherapy with essential oils from gardenia flowers can reduce lung inflammation in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Ingesting flowers (edible ones only, of course!) is another form of floral therapy. Edible flowers have a host of nutritional, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Tinctures of floral essences have been shown to ease the pain of labor during childbirth and reduce anxiety and binge eating among overweight individuals.

No matter how you choose to experience the healing power of flowers, a bouquet of benefits awaits.