Nature prompt for week 3 January 2023
Oh My Gorgeous Beautiful Friends You Astound & Uplift My Spirit
Flowers excite me. Whether in a formal garden or scattered in a forest, you bring joy. My grandfather awakened my initial interest. He maintained a beautiful garden of dutch bulbs and many perennials.
Then after my family moved to a mountain plot, the forest came alive every spring. Little green shoots burst through rotted leaves, pushing to the sky. As they grew little buds would open and delight me with beautiful flowers.
As an adult I realized that I need flowers in my life. I’ve planted many varieties at every home I’ve lived in and surround myself with houseplants. Their energy makes me feel good. I saw them thrive when I talked to them and played music.
I can’t walk into a grocery store without wandering to the flower section. Flowers attract me like a magnet. Even medical professionals realize the tremendous impact on people’s lives.
“Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” — Luther Burbank
10 ways that flowers influence and alter behaviors:
- People seem to feel happier when surrounded by flowers. Studies notice that energy levels improve. People are alert and feel alive. Feelings of depression and anxiety diminish.
- The presence of flowers in senior care facilities contributes to less anxiety. The residents relax and are calmer. Even the scent of flowers promotes tranquility. They’re alert and interact with family visitors. It seems to slow memory loss too.
- Flowers show romantic affection and meaning in a relationship. Red roses have symbolized love throughout history.
- Businesses see the higher quality. Memory and concentration in the workplace increase in their employees.
- Plants and flowers placed in a schoolroom help kids focus and retain information.
- Some corporations have atriums for their employees. Islands of green and flowering plants increase productivity. Flowers stimulate innovation and creativity in their work.
- Dental, eye and medical offices incorporate plants in waiting rooms. It puts patients in a positive and relaxed mood so they’re less anxious.
- Staff is more compassionate in handling questions in stores and professional offices.
- Flowers generate feelings of happiness. Air quality improves. Even fragrances improve mental health.
- Flowers in hospital rooms help patients heal faster and lowers their pain level.
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”– Frances Hodgson Burnett
This article is in response to the Nature prompt: In joy and in sadness flowers are our friends — suggested by Dr. Preeti Singh.
Please read the following posts written by other Medium writers:
Dr. Fatima Imam relates the anxiety of a cat during human episodes of misfortune. A fire alarm scare and a blackout cause serious repercussions to the poor fella whose life is disrupted. A humorous read.
Freda Savahl writes an inspiring story of one man’s determination to get better.
Jason Edmunds illustrates the healing power of nature.
Heartfelt praise for the Reciprocal editors Sahil Patel, Dr. Preeti Singh, and Yana Bostongirl who give fabulous prompts to the writers of this platform.
