Did you know that research describes why you should buy yourself flowers? It’s true!
And maybe Miley Cyrus had a point.
I can buy myself flowersWrite my name in the sandTalk to myself for hoursSay things you don’t understandI can take myself dancingAnd I can hold my own handYeah, I can love me better than you can
Besides Miley’s say so, there are many studies which support the benefits of bringing the outdoors in. I’d like to focus on a particular study because it highlights the benefits so well.
Research Says Flowers Are Beneficial
There are many studies which support the benefits of bringing the outdoors in, but I’d like to focus on a particular study because it highlights the benefits so well.
Research was conducted within a hospital setting. It looked at how indoor flowers and plants impacted the physical and psychological responses of surgical patients.
270 patients were randomly assigned to two hospital wards. Each ward was identical–similar size, views, number of windows, and daylight available. Ward A, however, had been decorated with plants and had flowers in vases beside the patients, while Ward B had none (the control group).
What Research Says About Having Plants Around You
Patient vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and body temperature, were monitored and collected throughout the patients’ hospital stay. The patients in the ward with greenery had better overall results in each category. The following summarizes some of the highlights:
Flowers Can Regulate Blood Pressure
The researcher discovered differences in blood pressure among patients. A higher proportion (41.5%) of patients in Ward A had normal blood pressure compared to a lower percentage in Ward B (26.7%). The researchers discovered that the inclusion of foliage plants and flowers in Ward A seemed to contribute to maintenance of blood pressure levels.
Flowers Can Stabilize Heart Rate
Heart rates among patients also showed important differences between the two wards. A higher percentage (48.1%) of patients in Ward A had normal heart rates compared to Ward B (30.4%). Researchers believe that a green environment helped stabilize patients’ heart rates, reducing stress and promoting tranquility.
Flowers Can Regulate Breathing
Respiration rates were more normal in Ward A, with 56.3% of patients having normal rates compared to 40.0% in Ward B. The presence of plants and flowers seemed to have improved patients’ respiratory health, contributing to better recovery.
Flowers Can Regulate Body Temperature
Body temperature data also showed differences between the wards. A higher percentage (48.9%) of patients in Ward A had normal temperatures compared to Ward B (34.1%). Stable blood pressure and heart rates in Ward A helped regulate patients’ body temperatures more effectively.
Flowers Can Decrease Pain Intensity and Distress
Pain intensity and distress levels were also lower in Ward A. Severe pain was experienced by 32.6% of patients in Ward A compared to 43.0% in Ward B. The presence of natural elements in Ward A seemed to reduce patients’ perception of pain and discomfort.
Flowers Can Reduce the Need for Pain Medication
The consumption of pain medication was lower in Ward A. Fewer patients (30.0%) in Ward A consumed strong painkillers compared to Ward B (40.0%). The distraction provided by the greenery may have helped to reduce the need for pain medication.
Other Data Supporting the Importance of Plants and Flowers
Group conversations, interviews and questionnaires were used to gather additional insights. A few interesting themes were found.
Plants and Flowers Improve Well Being and Emotional State
Both nurses and doctors agreed that having plants and floral displays had an impact on patients’ physical health and emotional well being. The presence of greenery created an environment that lifted patients’ spirits psychologically and emotionally.
Nurses shared anecdotes where patients mentioned feeling relaxed in the presence of plants.
One patient expressed during an interview, “I find comfort in seeing plants around me. They help me unwind; it’s quite soothing.” Another mentioned, “Plants create a comforting atmosphere in a room making me feel at ease and uplifted.”
Other conversations highlighted how foliage plants and flowers engaged patients’ senses, improved mood, and reduced anxiety and depression. The study concluded that the presence of plants and flowers significantly contributes to the well being of patients.
Additionally, patients were observed engaged in activities such as removing leaves, touching the plants, requesting cut flowers, watering plants, and relocating them for better visibility. Most patients viewed the presence of plants as an important feature of the ward.
Patients preferred flowers to just greenery and particularly roses because of their scent. So there’s even more power in flowers!
Furthermore, one doctor elaborated on how seeing a flower or plant triggers a signal through the eyes to areas of the brain associated with emotions, like joy and fondness.
Key Discoveries in Having Plants and Flowers
The patients in Ward A (with plants and flowers) experienced these benefits:
Better Vital Signs: Patients had more stable blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and body temperature.
Quicker Recovery: Patients in Ward A had shorter hospital stays after surgery.
Decreased Pain Medication: There was less of a need for painkillers.
Improved Mental Health: Decreased pain reduced their stress and increased optimism and healing.
The Bottom Line
The main point is that flowers and plants have an impact on our well-being especially when stress levels are high. By introducing plants and flowers into our surroundings we can experience improvements in both our mental and physical health.
So we’ve established why you should buy yourself flowers. What if it’s not in your budget to do this on a regular basis?
How to Have Flowers in Your House on a Budget
If you don’t have money to spend on flowers, consider these ideas:
- Grow perennial flowers in your yard or a container and place in a vase
- Plant bulbs for spring flowers
- Choose flowers that last a long time like carnations or lilies.
- Buy a single flower and put in a narrow-mouth vase
- Cut a single bloom and float in water on a short, wide-mouthed bowl
- Cut small branches or leaves off plants or trees and place in a tall vase
- Buy flowers that will still be pretty when they dry out (like babies breath)
- Fill a vase with cut fern fronds or pussy willows
As you continue on the Weekend Reset Challenge consider adding some greenery to your environment. Whether its a plant on your desk or a small vase of flowers in your living room or bedroom, connecting with nature can help you feel better physically and mentally. So find some greenery, bring it inside, and discover the many benefits of having flowers!
Your Weekend Reset Connection
There are so many connections that giving yourself (or someone else) flowers can do! It shows Appreciation, brings the Outdoors in, and they can help you Connect with someone (or according to Miley, to yourself)!.
