1. FLOWERS INDUCE GENUINE SMILES
At the end of the nineteenth century, French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne discovered that spontaneous laughter causes the muscles around the eyes to contract. That's why a sincere smile is also called a Duchenne smile. When you gift your bff a bunch of flowers, you can be sure that her smile is sincere. Research shows that flowers cause a Duchenne smile in women and even better, the effect of flowers continues long after the moment of giving! Three days after receiving flowers, women still feel better than before. Flowers have a positive influence on your mood both immediately and in the longer term.
2. FLOWERS BANISH GRUMPINESS IN THE MORNING
Research shows that looking at flowers is the perfect way to start your day. To measure the effect that flowers can have on mood, the homes of research participants were decorated with beautiful bunches of flowers, mainly in homes that are utilised a lot in the morning such as the bathroom and kitchen. Participants were asked how they felt in the morning and it was discovered that flowers make for a positive start to the day, especially when placed in the kitchen.
3. FLOWERS GIVE YOU A BOOST OF ENERGY
Besides dispelling bad moods in the morning, flowers seem to increase your energy levels with their beauty and colour. Participants of a behavioural study conducted by researchers at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed that they feel at their least positive in the morning, but reported being happier and more energetic after looking at flowers first thing - and that this energy boost lasted throughout their whole day. Buying flowers doesn't just brighten up your home, but also yourself! We suggest placing a bouquet in a visible spot in your home or even moving flowers around to keep your company throughout your day, such as placing it in your home office if you work from home.
4. FLOWERS HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON ELDERLY PEOPLE
It's been proven that flowers have a net positive effect on elderly people, helping to reduce depression, refresh memories and inspire social connection. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, conducted a six month study into the health effects of flowers on the elderly. Participants found that they were happier, more likely to engage with their community and that they performed better doing memory-based tasks when they received flowers. It's definitely worth picking up a bunch of blooms for your grandma, grandpa, neighbour or other elderly loved one.
5. GIVING FLOWERS IS JUST AS GOOD AS RECEIVING FLOWERS
We all know the phrase 'giving is better than receiving' - and this holds especially true for flowers. Rutgers University researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones investigated what the gifts we pick say about ourselves and if they influence how others view us. Their study found that those who gift flowers are seen as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people. People who give flowers:
- Are seen as happy, strong, capable and brave;
- Appear emotionally intelligent and give the impression that they can express their feelings and take the time to understand the feelings of others;
- Are seen as people who appreciate beauty and nature.
'Our findings show that through the gifts you give, you can influence and change what people think about you,’ says Haviland-Jones. ‘That news is especially important for people who need to strengthen friendships and romances, as well as business relationships.'
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
Our love for flowers stems from the human need to connect with nature, something that we all need to be healthy and happy. So if you want to laugh more, you know what to do! Brush up on the symbolism of flowers to learn the meanings behind different blooms, and discover how to get the most out of your bouquet and how to make it last as long as possible. Let us know how you're bringing more flowers into your life on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtags #funnyhowflowersdothat and #weneedmoreflowers.
