Every Monday at Roadside Blooms, we have a group of regulars who come in just to treat themselves. It also happens to be the day when our single-stem bouquet bar is half off.
We’ve been told time and again that having just a few blooms in their home or office completely brightens their mood and enhances their environment. Making this a weekly ritual has encouraged a healthy habit of self-care. Our customers say it kicks off their week and helps increase their productivity.
Just about anyone who has ever received flowers or walked into a flower shop has experienced their mood suddenly lift. But it’s not just a feeling. It’s science. From triggering brain chemicals to enhancing social connections, flowers have a powerful and measurable effect on our well-being.
Scientists know through copious amounts of research that spending time in nature has huge health benefits such as reduced cardiovascular disease and overall improved mental health. But with people spending a majority of time indoors these days, it’s important to bring in nature either through flowers or indoor plants.
Flowers increase oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine — the trifecta of feel-good brain chemicals. When released into our system we feel relaxed, happy and connected. A study from Rutgers University found participants who received flowers experienced an immediate mental health boost from our dopamine response that lasted for days. It wasn’t just the flowers that increased their mood but also the feeling of receiving a gift of appreciation or love.
The simple act of smelling flowers, like lavender, roses and jasmine, can lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone that often leaves us feeling tense or overwhelmed. This is why during a massage or when trying to relax, the go-to is always something scented with a floral essential oil.
We encourage customers to take care of their flowers over their natural life course by giving fresh cuts and fresh water (we don’t use flower food; studies have shown there’s no difference) every other day. We also want people to remember that flowers aren’t supposed to last weeks — it’s not how nature intended. Instead, observing the life cycle of our flowers can bring us closer to nature. Watching and appreciating the fresh flower start to fade and change form lets us appreciate each part of its life and may serve as a mirror to our own lives. Nothing is permanently perfect, so don’t expect flowers (or yourself) to be.
Beyond their beauty, their scent, their colorful and whimsical nature, flowers are a powerful tool for connection. Think about how a simple act — giving someone a bouquet or placing fresh flowers on a dining table — can make a space feel warmer, more inviting and more connected. Don’t forget that men deserve flowers, too. I have written about this topic of men being culturally left out of receiving flowers. To this, I will tell you that men love flowers. More importantly, receiving a token of appreciation and the trifecta of feel-good brain chemicals doesn’t consider gender.
Toni Reale is the owner of Roadside Blooms, a unique flower, crystal and plant shop at 4491 Durant Ave., North Charleston. Online at roadsideblooms.com.
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