While flowers have been linked to health benefits and general well-being for years, more recent research is filling in the detail. Receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers can boost our energy, happiness and enthusiasm, especially as we age. 

A behavioral research study conducted by Nancy Etcoff of Harvard Medical School reveals that people feel kinder toward others and less anxious or depressed when living with fresh cut flowers around them. 

Etcoff's study showed that spending just a few days with flowers around can affect a wide variety of feelings. Overall, people in the study simply felt more positive. “Interestingly, when we placed a small bouquet of flowers into their morning routines, people perked up," Etcoff said. Participants who had a flower arrangement in their home felt an increase in feelings of compassion and kindness for others after less than a week.

The results of another six-month study at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, demonstrated that flowers ease depression, inspire social networking and refresh memory as we age. More than 100 seniors participated in the Rutgers research study. Participants showed a significant increase in happiness and positive moods when flowers were present, performed higher on everyday memory tasks, experienced enriched personal memories and even re-engaged with members of their communities.

"Instinct tells us that flowers lift our spirits, but, their effects on seniors are especially profound, if not surprising," said Dr. Jeannette Haviland-Jones, professor of psychology and director of the Human Development Lab at Rutgers. 

A small dose of nature, like an arrangement of flowers, can do the world of good for our well-being. Being surrounded by beautiful flowers stimulates the senses, help people concentrate and just feel happier, less stressed, and more relaxed. Whether they're for the home or the workplace, at Papamoa florist Arrange Floral Design our floral specialists can provide exquisite flower arrangements to boost your sense of wellbeing.