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Between going back to school, going back to work, the gloomy weather and the stress of everyday life, your summer holidays seem a long way away? Nothing could be more normal… To ward off this little slump, there’s nothing like giving yourself flowers. It’s scientifically proven!
In this rather rainy early September, returning to the “metro-work-sleep” routine can be quite difficult to resume. Even more so if you have had a particularly relaxing vacation, in the sun or on the beach. How can you extend this golden interlude? Two French researchers seem to have found the solution.
Treat yourself to flowers to fight the back-to-school blues
These scientists worked on an experimental study conducted by the website La joie des fleurs. They gathered a cohort of city dwellers, whom they split into two groups. The first, made up of 55 individuals, received bouquets of flowers at home. The second, which included 71 people, did not receive any flowers. Subsequently, all the volunteers were given a questionnaire, based on three measures: well-being, happiness and emotion.
Flowers have ‘significant impact’ on well-being and happiness
Result: The group that received flowers reported a higher level of well-being, compared to those that did not receive them. The study reports that on a scale of 1 to 5, they were:
- more optimistic about the future (+0.77 points);
- more cheerful (+0.65 points);
- more relaxed (+0.55 points);
- and happier than the control group (+13.88 points)
More positive emotions felt by the group receiving flowers
And that’s not all. The emotions felt by the group that received bouquets were better than those of the control group. On a scale of 1 to 5, the “flower” group felt:
- happier (+0.46 points);
- happier (+0.37 points);
- more excited (+0.35 points);
- less annoyed (-0.49 points);
- less nervous (-0.43 points);
- and less melancholic (-0.38 points) than the members of the control group.
Conclusion: when you’re feeling a little down, you know what to do: buy yourself some flowers!
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