Oct 6, 2006

Flowers Make Positive ImpactSource: SAF/FPO

According to a new study, the presence of flowers in a home can change people’s moods or states of mind. The study is the result of a joint effort from the Society of American Florists (SAF) and the Flower Promotion Organization (FPO). The results of the study were presented Sept. 29 at the Consumer Marketing Breakfast at SAF’s 122nd annual convention in Naples, Fla.

The SAF/FPO Alliance partnered with Nancy Etcoff of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Etcoff and a Harvard research team spent the first six months of 2006 exploring how flowers in the home environment affect the well being of its inhabitants.

“We know that flowers make people happy when they receive them,” Etcoff said. “What we didn’t know is that spending a few days with flowers in the home can affect a wide variety of feelings – from compassion to worry. In all, our results suggest that flowers have a positive impact on well being.

Etcoff’s team surveyed 54 people ages 25-60 to find out where the person was, who they were with and what they were doing when they experienced an emotion – both when flowers were present and not.

According to Etcoff, study participants who lived with flowers for less than one week felt an increase in feelings of compassion for others. Participants also said they felt less negative after being around flowers at home for just a few days.

Participants most frequently placed flowers in their kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms and said they wanted to see the blooms first thing in the morning.

The study results show that living with flowers can provide a boost of energy, happiness and enthusiasm at work. Having flowers at home can also have a “carry over” effect on an individual’s mood at work.

The SAF/FPO Alliance will promote the study results to consumers through a public relations campaign that will launch this month. The findings will be distributed to print media in a press kit, through a satellite television tour and through targeted pitching to national consumer magazines.

For more information on the study, contact SAF at info@safnow.org or call (800) 336-4743.