Flowers = Happiness
Science and Nature Unearth New
Insights into Emotional Health
Rutgers Behavioral Study Links Flowers and Life Satisfaction
 With
today's high-tech and fast-paced lifestyle taking its daily toll
on our lives, experts advise exercise and other personal lifestyle
changes to relieve stress. According to recent behavioral research
conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, nature
provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health - flowers.
The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings
of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner
far beyond what is normally believed.
"What's most exciting about this study is that it challenges established
scientific beliefs about how people can manage their day-to-day
moods in a healthy and natural way," said Jeannette Haviland-Jones,
Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Rutgers and lead researcher on
the study.
Research Findings
A team of researchers explored the link between flowers and life
satisfaction in a 10-month study of participants' behavioral and
emotional responses to receiving flowers. The results show that
flowers are a natural and healthful moderator of moods.
- Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. All study
participants expressed "true" or "excited" smiles upon receiving
flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This
reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.
- Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically,
study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and
agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense
of enjoyment and life satisfaction.
- Flowers make intimate connections. The presence of flowers
led to increased contact with family and friends.
"Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy," said Dr. Haviland-Jones.
"Now, science shows that not only do flowers make us happier than
we know, they have strong positive effects on our emotional well
being."
Forget the fountain of youth, new scientific research
proves flowers help senior citizens cope with the challenges of
aging. Click here to find out more.
Sharing Space
The study also explored where in their homes people display flowers.
The arrangements were placed in areas of the home that are open
to visitors - such as foyers, living rooms and dining rooms - suggesting
that flowers are a symbol for sharing.
"Flowers bring about positive emotional feelings in those who enter
a room," said Dr. Haviland-Jones. "They make the space more welcoming
and create a sharing atmosphere."
Try some flower therapy! Click here
to find out how.
Click here to find out about the positive
effects of flowers on MEN.
Background
The Emotional Impact of Flowers Study was conducted by Jeannette
M. Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Project Director,
Human Development Lab at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Dr. Haviland-Jones is a psychologist and internationally recognized
authority in the role of emotional development in human behavior
and nonverbal emotional signals and response.
The research adds a scientific foundation to what many consider
to be common knowledge - that flowers have a strong, beneficial
impact on those who receive them. The Society of American Florists
worked in cooperation with the Rutgers research team, bringing an
expertise of flowers to the project.
Click here for more details on the research
methodology.
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