The power of FLOWERS

From uplifting hues to soothing scents, let's hear it for these beautiful blooms

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To quote a famous line from Romeo and Juliet, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Since time immemorial, flowers have inspired, comforted and won hearts, so it makes sense that so many of us like having them around!

What’s more, science agrees. Psychologist and Headspace App mental health expert Carly Dober says there have been studies to measure the emotional impact flowers have on us. “For example, people given a large bunch of flowers become more positively emotional compared to people who are given money,” she explains. “It was also found that people spend more money in restaurants with flowers, and people get better quicker in hospitals if exposed to flowers.”

THE CHEMICAL CONNECTION

So why do we have this affinity? “Flowers can make us happy by triggering happy brain chemicals,” Dober explains.

The three main players here are the bonding hormone oxytocin, feel-good serotonin and the reward hormone dopamine. “The blossoming of a flower triggers the sense that something special is coming,” Dober says.

Corey Jackson, creative director at The Greenery Garden and Home, says another factor is the way we use flowers to communicate. “Flowers are given to express an emotion and make a connection – be it love, sympathy, an apology or a wish for happiness,” he explains. “The thought that has gone into choosing them reminds us that we are loved.”