Infusing Colour and Happiness

Yesterday, I finally had the opportunity to head out to the stores and pick up some bedding plants.  Very exhilarating for us Canadians who have endured one of the seemingly longest winters ever!  Not exhilarating for one’s pocketbook exactly, BUT the results pay off in spades all summer long (well, hopefully, if my thumbs stay green) and are well worth it in my opinion.

I don’t know about you, but there is something soulful about waking up to and enjoying the sights of various plants/flowers in one’s yard?  Simply looking at the vibrant blooms Infuses a sense of happiness similar to a person’s first bit of delectable cheesecake, spilling over with fresh strawberries and sauce–NOTHING beats that first bite, right?!

Out of curiosity, I decided to look up WHY it is that flowers seem to have such an intoxicating effect on us and I came across this link on a fellow bloggers’ site.  In her easy-to-read article, Niwa alludes to accelarated healing, increased purpose and motivation, as well as increased energy and performance.  In another finding, Dr. Jonathan S. Kaplan who writes about urban mindfulness for Psychology Today, cites that there are “several research studies related to the positive impact of nature on the human condition. Having plants, going for a walk in the park, or even looking at a landscape poster could produce psychological benefits, reduce stress, and improve concentration.”  Dr.  Kaplan mentions that owning simple houseplants has been known to lower blood pressure, increase attentiveness and improve well-being.  Good reasons to become a plant-lover, if not already one.

In fact, a simple web search reveals that there are a lot of studies citing the many positive effects that our co-dependent living species provides to us, separate from the obvious O2/CO2 exchange that we first learned about in school.  And, for those of us who enjoy gardening, it doesn’t take much convincing on our end to see and feel the joys of it all:-).