Are we entering into a recession? If you believe the media and politicians then yes, apparently so!  With the recent bush fires, terrorist attacks and the outbreak of the Coronavirus many people are certainly feeling the fear.  History shows us that during such times of recession and depressions, the few industries that survived and even prospered were; sporting clubs, bars, pubs, and casinos. When I first learned this years ago, I was initially surprised that people would, in my mind waste such a precious resource as money in such dire times. Yet once it was explained to me that people need outlets and distractions away from the current source of pain and deflect it onto something else, I really began to understand. What interested me most was that the majority, if not all, of these distractions, only gave short term enjoyment and offered just fleeting glimmers for ‘feeling good’.  Further to that science now understands its the surge of dopamine the short term feel-good hormone that is released, which is also received by the chemicals hidden in junk food. Therefore it’s no surprise that today our distractions are often still addictions, of one kind or another, anything that can supply us with a burst of dopamine, such as social media and yes the pubs, bars, and casinos have not left our society and possibly never will. The good news is there is a surge in society to follow a more sustainable path, sustainable meaning its lasting, self-fulfilling and doesn’t have the hangover so to speak. As we have entered 2020, the decade of ‘emotion’ we are predominantly wiser beings having awakened to the errors of the past. This more sustainable path that we seek leads to long-lasting health and wellness and includes but is not limited to personal development, including yoga, gardening, meditation, cooking and a long list of various creative hobbies and holistic health practices. Ok, so what has this to do with flowers and the floristry industry as a whole. Well before I explain, allow me to cover the obvious, people will always get married and have weddings to celebrate. The circle of life is inevitable, so funerals will continue and in my mind, there is no better final gift to a loved one that the healing energy of beautiful heartfelt fresh flowers.  The larger reason for why I believe flowers and plants will remain and grow in societies level of importance is the following; 

What we have seen emerge as a trend is people choosing to make more time and place greater importance on beautifying their sacred space, their safe haven is their home and the prediction is, it’s not going away it will only increase.

Plants provide hope and remind us how resilient living beings are ‘hint that is US too’.  They do this when we fail to give them sufficient water or light and show no sign above the pot they live in that life is present, yet in the soil underneath that life force still breathes as its supported by the nutrients held within the soil. When we do renew their moisture and supply of natural light they show us very quickly with the promise of fresh green shoots that life is within.  Plants and fresh flowers clean the air of toxins, the most powerful at this task is our friendly Spathiphyllum plants also known as Peace Lilies and Sansevieria also known as Snake Plant or pre 2000 politically incorrectly known as ‘mother in laws tongue’.  Personally, after a home renovation, I saw first hand the power of the Spathiphyllum plant at work. Post-renovation I placed the plant back into the home where the recycled wooden floorboards had been laid and stained, within less than 24 hours the healthy lush green plant had wilted and the leaves turned black. The plant had absorbed the toxins within the house. Not only did this serve as a warning to either leave the home for a few days or purchase an air purifier or more plants but it also was a great visual representation as to how important and efficient they are at cleaning the air. remarkably the plant revived and flourished as the air the home was back to clean. 

What we also see a heightened awareness of is the current Mental Health in society, it’s no secret that our previously chosen vices only perpetuate the very issues we are utilizing them to escape from. 

Fresh flowers in vases give us so much more than their visual beauty, they hit just about every one of our pleasure senses, sight, touch, and smell. However, I like many believe their greater power is not seen but only. Flowers infuse our homes and workspaces with the highest positive vibes that science can measure.  Does this calming energy offer help to shift from a sympathetic state to that of a parasympathetic one (fight or flight), I believe in my experience yes absolutely they can. Flowers have the power to raise our serotonin levels for extended periods according to research conducted by Dr. Jeanette Haviland and her team at Rutgers University.

Further to having fresh flowers in our environment providing us with their invisible beauty and power is the arranging of the flowers. Arranging flowers is a creative outlet that allows us the time, space and opportunity to connect with our own inner creativity. By stepping into a state of pure flow, spirit speaks through us, we become the channel to be guided through creativity, this is the ART form. ART standing for Allow Real-Time, allow real-time means allowing yourself space and time to BE in the present moment connecting to pure source energy (spirit). This is a sure-fire way to shift from a sympathetic state (anxious/high alert) to a parasympathetic state (relaxed/high GOOD vibe state).

So if you are a florist I hope you know hat you need to do; Share the positive benefits of what your products give people!! Do not be afraid to share it, including sharing how to arrange, you will never feel you need to ‘sell’ flowers ever again. 

For more info on the science and power of flowers; https://ucmweb.rutgers.edu/magazine/archive1013/departments/spring-2010/insights/flower-power