7 Little-Known Ways Flowers Can Boost Self-Love And Healing
Feel like you’re coming down with sniffles? Give your immune system some loving and stock up on some flowers.
By Rana Tarakji
Finding time to slow down and put yourself first may be the least of your priorities. After all, many people’s lifestyle is fast-paced and their schedules seem to be mandatorily jam-packed. With all the hustle and bustle, however, you still owe it to yourself to slow down every once in a while. Your body may not be able to voice out its needs verbally, but it sure can give you a hint when you need to take a breather.
Apparently, there are many ways to practice self-care and healing. From adopting a more positive disposition, engaging in regular exercise, or simply letting all your pent up emotions out, there is always a self-care tip that you can apply in your everyday life.
Flowers, surprisingly, can also come to your rescue when you feel like your tank for self-love is close to getting depleted. They can also help facilitate the healing process when your emotions and physique are at an all time low.
Thankfully, local florists and online flower delivery services exist to provide flowers for your everyday needs. Once that bouquet of flowers arrives in your home, here are some ways you can use them to practice some self-love and healing:
1. As dutiful decors
No doubt about it, flowers are instant decorative pieces that can transform any dull, lifeless room in your house into one that has an inviting vibe. In the same manner, these eye-catching blooms can help you achieve your self-care goals. Studies on daily interaction with flowers and indoor plants show an overall positive effect that can come close to lifting your mood. So the next time you need to turn your day around, grab a bunch of flowers. Prop them next to your nightstand and instantly wake up to a brighter day.
2. As mental detoxifiers
There will always be those days when your body will tell you that you need a little sanity break. It comes in the form of clouded thoughts, inability to focus, and other similar mental roadblocks.
You might not be aware of it, but toxins coming from everyday household objects like your carpets and oven contribute to household air pollution. Believe it or not, this has an effect on your mental wellbeing. So, if you want cleaner air for a clearer mind, there are specific blooms that do their fair share of making your day literally less toxic. Go ahead and order some chrysanthemums or peace lilies. Because aside from their aesthetic use, flowers like these also act as effective air-purifiers for your home.
3. As immune system boosters
Feel like you’re coming down with sniffles? Give your immune system some loving and stock up on some flowers. Some variants like elderflowers have been traditionally used to help cure colds. Dandelions, on the other hand, are great for cough. Simply gather the flowers, add some lemon zest and water to make your very own syrup, and get that immune system boost your body needs to fight off the infection.
4. As sleep-inducers
Part of a good self-care routine involves getting as much sleep as you possibly can to recharge your body. On days, however, when stress and anxiety keep you up at night, you can turn to your floral friends for some nerve-calming brew.
So don’t throw your dried up flowers just yet, especially if you have chamomile in the mix. If you are in need of some shut-eye, you might want to turn those chamomile flowers and leaves into your very own DIY tea infusion.
5. As fragrant fighters
The concept of aromatherapy is a well-known path to self-love and self-care. Relying on essential oils that are derived from certain plant parts, this technique has several benefits. Fortunately, flowers are amongst the plant parts from which these essential oils can be extracted from. Therapeutic effects include relief from muscle pain, reduced inflammation and skin irritations, and many others.
6. As natural cleansers
Nothing describes a good old self-care routine than unwinding in a nice long bath. Adding some flower petals to your warm bath setup gives your skin extra nourishment. You can also try using flower petals as facial cleansers. Your face and body will surely thank you for it.
7. As a hobby-makers
Whether you are recovering from depression or simply in need of some diversion, flowers can be your source of inspiration. You can start your very own DIY flower arrangement and create your collection of carefully curated pieces. Potpourri-making can also be a de-stressing activity. Or if you are up for it, you can find ways to turn your floral favorites into your very own moisturizers.
Whether you’re gazing at flowers as part of lovely room interiors, smelling their calming aroma, and even infusing them in your tea, there are definitely various ways to add flowers to your self-care routine. So the next time your favorite blooms are in season, know that they will serve more than one purpose in your life and in your home.