Flower Power: The Parallel Benefits of Organized Living & Botanical Elements
Ah the power of fresh flowers!
The healing properties of plants!
With spring just around the corner, we are inclined to throw ourselves into spring cleaning and maybe even pick up hobbies like gardening. We start spending time outdoors and craving fresh air and a sense of newness that can only be felt at this time of year. Often this is a time of change and awakening for most of my clients and the need for renewal comes from all areas of life.
So what does this have to do with organizing?
Often when I’ve completed an organizing project, I might bring my client flowers or in many cases, I vehemently suggest the addition of a plant (artificial or natural) to the newly organized space. The purpose is to keep the space clean and maintained while adding a bloom that represent life to the space. Often times, clients can clutter themselves into a suffocating corner but will not clutter a plant. Who wants to kill a plant? No one.
For the non-committal set, flowers are used as a symbol of encouragement for those that I know will maintain our hard work between sessions and only need a bit of encouragement after I’m gone. Plants are a more permanent nudge to keep clients organized on a long term scale. Both tools reap many of the same improvements that an organized lifestyle bring: increased productivity, wealth (saving money), improved focus, cleaner air, less sickness, a new sense of optimism. The list is endless and I love it.
As you probably already know if you follow me on social media, I am passionate about educating everyone about the benefits of getting organized. It’s not just about living in an Instagram or Pinterest worthy space and plants aren’t just ornaments. The parallels drawn between the two are shocking and exciting. What do our botanical counterparts really mean to our surroundings – what are the benefits, which ones are “safe” and what effect do they have on our overall well being?
Source: https://sorcierechoco.tumblr.com/post/50581980407/poison-ivy
For some, flowers represent love and appreciation, plants a fresh start or a source of culinary delights - yet there are still those who believe both are a waste of time or money . My husband as sweet, kind and loving as he is, hails from the second school of thought. Always one to buy something useful, flowers fall low on the list if at all. Plants are a maybe. But in a world in which the environment is becoming an increasingly important focus as a means to survival and we are always searching for ways to practice self care, I explore the benefits of awakening the inner “Poison Ivy” in all of us and loving our botanical friends with logic if not for sentiment.
Just the act of seeing a floral arrangement - even if it’s artificial can boost mood and increase a feeling of contentment.
Enlighten yourself and draw the lines between the benefits of living an organized life and the presence of plants or flowers in your space.
Part 1: 12 Benefits of Having Plants and Fresh Flowers Nearby
1. Increased air purity, naturally cleansing the space
2. Deterrent of illness and pests
· Keeping the room humidified and pure will deter illnesses
· Plants such as lemongrass ward off a host of pests such as mosquitos
3. Reduced stress and boosted moods
· When gifted with flowers vs. a luxury candle – almost all participants showed a higher level of mood and lower level of stress within 5 days. Just seeing plants or flowers can having a healing effect on someone.
4. There are medicinal benefits and symbolism behind almost every plant
(Check out my rainbow chart in Part III)
5. Plants are a gentle reminder to keep an area clear and uncluttered
6. Plants make great pets – low maintenance, very quiet and great listeners
· The act of caring for something adds a bit of humanity to your life and adds awareness of self care and the basic needs of every living thing (you, included)!
7. Sleep is huge in productivity and plants promote decreased stress levels and cleaner air – two huge components of quality rest.
· A more direct example is the use of certain plants to sleep such as lavender.
8. Aesthetically pleasing environments are welcoming not only visually but in feeling. Plants humanize and beautify a space – a house becomes a home.
· Plants are often used when staging a home due to this affect.
9. Often presented with compassion – a plant is a symbol of a strong relationship.
10. We are all getting older and looking for ways to focus and boost our brain power.
· The fragrance of certain flowers and plants open certain areas of the brain and take one back to certain memories or instances in life.
11. Contact with nature fulfills and basic human needs and boosts are sense of well-being, healing and overall health.
· It has been proven that patients in hospitals heal a much quicker rate with flowers in the room than those that do not have any plants or flowers.
12. Increased level of attraction.
· In a study of 100 men and women, when shown images of the same person the person holding the flowers always had a 30% higher rate of being deemed attractive than the same person without.
Part 2: But I Have Allergies…
There is always that person who will say that our botanical friends are not welcome because of allergies, children, pets, small spaces/no light, lack of a green thumb…. The list of excuses goes on and on.
Here are a few plant suggestions no matter what your situation is:
PRO TIP: Still not convinced that there is a plant for you? Start with a paper floral arrangement and observe how it can uplift your spirits almost instantly!
Part 3: 16 Flowers and Plants Used Manifest Your Wishes
If I haven’t convinced you already or you just aren’t into reading much – here is a short and colorful chart showing how flowers and plants can boost certain areas of your life using century old traditions, symbolism and logic.
Thank you for spending some time reading our blog.
We want to hear all about roles that plants maybe play in your life, what flowers mean to you and your relationship or any other feedback that you might have!
Happy Spring!
