How Bringing Nature Indoors Blooms Our Mental Health

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Finding moments of calm and clarity in a fast-paced, constantly connected world could feel like a big challenge. We should always keep it simple, and this is harder than ever to achieve, particularly when it comes to mental health and mindfulness within our daily routine. This is why we need to remember that as humans, we evolved with the natural world, and so we should go back to it. We’re going to show you exactly how bringing nature indoors with fresh blooms can make all the difference.

The Accessibility of Nature

Firstly, surrounding yourself with fresh blooms is more accessible than ever, thanks to the convenience of a flower delivery service. The side benefit to bringing nature indoors doesn’t just brighten your space, but it’s that reminder to pause, breathe, and appreciate the present moment. Whether you’re sending flowers to a loved one or treating yourself, it’s a meaningful step towards creating a more mindful and nurturing environment.

The Science Behind Flowers and Mood

It’s easy to think that it could be anecdotal evidence that flowers elevate our mental health, but research from Rutgers University found that receiving flowers triggers immediate feelings of happiness and delight, with recipients across all age groups expressing genuine smiles and gratitude. 

Flowers have been shown to provide a long-term boost in mood, reducing feelings of depression, anxiety, and agitation. Other studies have demonstrated that even brief exposure to flowers can lead to measurable physiological effects, such as increased parasympathetic nervous activity, which is associated with reduced stress and relaxation.

Having Mindful Moments With Flowers

Incorporating flowers into a mindfulness practice is simple and straightforward to ensure that you are grounding yourself. 

Meditation 

Firstly, arranging flowers can be a very meditative process. Much like people talk about baking as being a great way to work through particular issues, the same thing applies as you trim stems, select colour groups, and create your bouquet. The key is to let your mind rest on the task at hand, noticing how your body feels and how your breath flows, and this hands-on activity can help to quiet racing thoughts and anchor you in the present. Creating flower arrangements has actually been shown to stimulate problem solving, creativity, and above all else, a sense of accomplishment, which are critical to your emotional well-being.

Mindfulness Observation

When we have a fresh vase of flowers somewhere we see often, we should take a few moments each day to observe how things are unfolding, how colours change, and the interplay between the light and the shadow. We seldom stop and observe these days, but this simple act can serve as a daily mindfulness ritual, reminding us all to slow down and savour the small things. 

The heart of mindfulness is engaging the senses to the point where you’re not focused on the outside world, which, in other words, is rumination. For anybody who overthinks, mindfulness is not a welcome distraction but an essential practice to remember that we can all stimulate calmness by stepping out of that chaos and placing our gaze on something as simple as a bouquet of flowers.

Flowers to Inspire

We can also use flowers as inspiration, for example, in journaling. If you’ve ever read a Charles Dickens book, that level of detail that focuses on the characters when we meet them for the first time, you can do something very similar by describing their appearance, scent, and the emotions they evoke. 

You should also reflect on what they symbolise for you, and this practice can deepen your connection to the present moment and, of course, with journaling, foster gratitude.

Flowers as Emotional Support

Flowers are a common gift to communicate comfort and empathy, but they can also strengthen social bonds and foster a sense of belonging. Studies have shown that people with flowers in their homes feel more optimistic about the future, happier, and more relaxed. 

Therefore, creating a mindful home can nurture your senses and support your well-being, whether it’s making your home like a sanctuary using the right implements to help you stay connected to nature, like flowers.

At home, you can pair your floral displays with soft lighting or soothing music to transform your space into a place that nurtures rest and reflection. In the journey towards better mental health and greater mindfulness, we should always remember to KISS: keep it simple, smarty pants! Simplicity has the most profound impact and is easier to implement. Flowers are reminders to slow down, connect with our senses, and remember that nature is a journey, both good and bad.