Blooming Bliss: How Flowers Enhance Feeling of Well-being for Women and Promote Emotional Health
A bliss in a summer garden…monarch butterflies flitting on the colorful blooms, enhances your feeling of well-being as you connect with nature!
Imagine walking into a room with a single rose in a pretty vase on a table, or a big vase filled with vibrant blooms—their beauty and symbolism can transform any space into a sanctuary of peace and joy. Or imagine stepping into a sunny summer garden filled with colorful fragrant blooms, birds chirping and monarch butterflies flitting on the sweet petals as you work in the garden.
For me, the sight and scent of flowers evoke powerful emotions of happiness, reminding me of the beauty and resilience inherent in life! I hope you too will be inspired and energized as we explore the myriad ways flowers can enrich your emotional health and well-being, particularly for us older women seeking to cultivate a life of joy and satisfaction into our lives as a form of exquisite self-care.
The Power of Flowers–How it Enhances Your Emotional Well-being
I think you will agree with me that there's something truly magical about flowers —how these botanical wonders can bring a touch of serenity and happiness into our lives by:
Giving an instant mood boost–have you ever noticed how a bouquet of fresh flowers can instantly brighten your day? Studies have shown that flowers have a profound effect on our mood, reducing stress and anxiety while increasing feelings of happiness and contentment. It's no wonder that flowers are often given as gifts during times of celebration or solace.
A daily dose of beauty–in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, the simple beauty of flowers offers a refreshing escape. Their colors, shapes, and fragrances engage our senses, providing a much-needed break from the mundane. Whether it's a vase of roses on your dining table or a pot of pansies on your windowsill, flowers bring the outdoors inside, creating a calming and pleasant environment.
Encouraging mindfulness–tending to flowers can be a wonderfully meditative practice. The act of watering, weeding, pruning, and arranging blooms encourages us to slow down and be present in the moment. This mindfulness practice can reduce stress and promote a sense of inner peace, making it a perfect activity for those looking to enhance their emotional health.
Flowers as symbols of resilience and growth–as we age, flowers can serve as poignant symbols of resilience and growth. Just as flowers bloom and thrive despite the challenges of their environment, we too can find strength and beauty in our own journeys. Every blossom is a beautiful testimony to the cycles of life, growth, and renewal.
The beauty of flowers adds to source of joy and inspiration to your emotional well-being!
Flowers and Well-being: A Personal Reflection
For me, the beauty of flowers has always been a source of joy and inspiration. I used to subscribe to the beautiful English Garden magazine, and every month, I loved pouring over the glossy full-length pages of the gorgeous gardens. I remember when we created our two-acre cottage English garden nearly 30 years ago when our girls were little. It was a family affair. My husband scratched the hard compacted dirt with a small tractor, with the box scraper implement attached to it, but the tractor was too light for it to work properly. So, our girls and I stood on the box scraper to give additional weight to push the dirt along. I came up with the design of our garden, drawing from the inspirations from the English countryside cottage gardens. My husband plowed the dirt, shaped the borders, and planted the roses. My girls and I sprinkled seeds, and planted bulbs, and little by little the garden took shape and the seeds sprouted and bloomed into colorful flowers which was a deeply fulfilling experience. The garden became our retreat, a place where we gathered as a family and had many glorious alfresco dining on the patio when the weather was warm; and watched the hummingbirds, butterflies, and the white cotton-tailed bunnies frolicking in the garden.
Even now after 30 years, our garden still provides ample flowers during growing season to bring indoors to enjoy. Each time I pass by a vase of roses in a room, I stop to breathe in its heavenly fragrance and feel gratitude as I slowly exhale; or when I stop to admire a big vase full of vibrant mixed blooms, it brings smiles to my face and a feeling of calm and thankfulness. This has become my cherished ritual, and each bouquet is a reminder of life's fleeting beauty and the importance of savoring every moment. Whether it's the vibrant hues of wildflowers or the delicate petals of a rose, flowers have a unique way of touching our hearts and lifting our spirits.
Bring flowers indoors and savor the fragrance or its beauty for a feeling of calm and gratitude.
Science-Backed Benefits of Flowers
Scientists' studies have shown that interacting with flowers can impact our emotional state by reducing stress, lower blood pressure, and improving mood. And the act of gardening itself is a form of physical exercise that keeps you active and engaged. Flowers also stimulate our senses, providing a multi-sensory experience that can be both calming and invigorating.
Why Flowers Matter for Emotional Health:
Natural Mood Boosters–The colors and scents of flowers have a profound effect on our brain, triggering the release of dopamine and serotonin—our feel-good hormones. Surrounding yourself with vibrant blooms can instantly lift your spirits and help combat feelings of sadness or anxiety.
Connection to Nature–In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from nature. Flowers offer a simple yet powerful way to reconnect with the natural world, grounding us and bringing a sense of peace and tranquility.
Symbolism and Memory–Flowers often carry personal meanings and memories, whether it's the roses from a wedding bouquet or the lilacs that remind you of your childhood garden. These connections can evoke positive emotions and a sense of nostalgia, enriching our emotional well-being.
Improved Memory–Some studies suggest that flowers and plants can enhance cognitive function and improve memory, which is especially beneficial as we age.
So, as we journey through this stage of life, finding sources of joy and well-being becomes increasingly important. One timeless and accessible source of such joy is the simple beauty of flowers. For many older women, flowers are more than just a decorative element; they are a profound source of emotional nourishment and well-being.
I hope you are now inspired to create your own floral oasis. Remember, the beauty of flowers is a gift you can give yourself every day! So let’s now explore how you can create your floral sanctuary!
Bring a little floral magic into your home with homegrown or from the market flowers!
How to Create Your Floral Oasis:
Start a Garden- Start small: You don’t need a sprawling garden to enjoy the benefits of flowers. You can start small or begin with a small indoor plant or a simple bouquet from the local farmers market. Even a single bloom on your bedside table can make a difference.
Bring Flowers Indoors: Fresh-cut flowers or potted plants can brighten up your home and your mood. Place them where you spend the most time—on your kitchen table, next to your bed, or in your living room.
Explore Different Types: Experiment with various types of flowers to see which ones resonate with you. From the cheerful wildflowers to the elegant roses, each flower has its own unique charm and energy.
Engage in Floral Activities: Visit garden nurseries or consider taking up flower arranging as a hobby. These activities not only provide a creative outlet but also foster a deeper connection with nature and enhance your emotional well-being.
Call to Action: Embrace the Power of Flowers
So, why not bring a little floral magic into your life today? Head to your local farmers market, or to Costco where the two dozen roses are only $19 USD, and pick out a bouquet that makes you happy. Put it where you’ll see it often and take a moment each day to appreciate its beauty, reminding you of the gift you are giving yourself!
I wish I could send you a beautiful bouquet of flowers…but sending you some inspirational quotes about flowers and gardens instead made by notable people over the years that highlight the profound impact the flowers and gardens can have on our well-being and promote emotional bliss. I hope this will bring smiles to your face and make your heart soar with inspiration to create your own garden!
A gift of flowers with their timeless beauty, are a perfect reminder of the resilience and beauty within you.
Claude Monet: "I must have flowers, always, and always."
Ralph Waldo Emerson: "The earth laughs in flowers."
Luther Burbank: "Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul."
Lady Bird Johnson: "Where flowers bloom, so does hope."
Gertrude Jekyll: "The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies."
Audrey Hepburn: "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow."
John Keats: "A thing of beauty is a joy forever: its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness."
Alice Morse Earle: "Half the interest of a garden is the constant exercise of the imagination."
William Wordsworth: "To me, the meanest flower that blows can give thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears."
Francis Bacon: "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures."
In the end, it’s all about finding those simple pleasures that bring us happiness and peace. Flowers, with their timeless beauty, are a perfect reminder of the resilience and beauty within you.
Embrace the bloom of life and let your well-being flourish like a garden in full bloom! Please share in the comment below which is your favorite quote!
Simple pleasures that bring happiness and sense of well-being.
