Flower Therapy

Human beings have an innate, primal attraction to nature.  Whether being in the arms of Mother Nature creates feelings of appreciation in her grand design and aesthetics, or it might make a person have a sense of tranquility just to sit and be, oftentimes nature can proportionally bring into scale the width and breadth of our own problems by merely absorbing the scene at the apex of a mountaintop or while sitting next to a ragging river.  Nature will frequently conjure up thoughts of spirituality and your place in this expansive space.   It is impossible to separate ourselves from the natural world even if you don’t consider yourself an “outdoorsy” type, nature has a firm grip on many of the ways in which we conduct our existence.  For instance, society works on a solar clock.  Our moods and hormones shift with the angle of light from the sun’s rays; many people experience the “winter doldrums” because of the lack of sunshine.  The world of flora can be very calming because it is a non-judgmental environment and quite often people that suffer from chronic sadness are feeling judged.  In nature the playing field is leveled and we all shine.  

Candice Davis has a lovely, tranquil garden courtyard.  The courtyard is an introduction for her clients to the world of therapy.  In order to reach Davis’s office of Cottage Hill Counseling you must first walk through the cheerful space.  Davis holds a Master’s Degree in social work and is a licensed LSCSW, or Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker.  Her days are spent listening and her goal is to redirect her clients onto a path of how they want their life to be.  Oftentimes people feel stuck for any number of reasons and it is keeping them from fully enjoying their life.  Davis’s aim is to pinpoint harmful patterns and work to find useful guides for her clients. 

“The garden I like to think of as a place that is uplifting, safe and peaceful.” Davis explains, “It immediately sets a mood of ease versus walking through a parking lot or office space, this garden implies a sense of hopefulness.”  Her clients enter through the side walkway and stroll under a Terry Miller crafted arbor that is crawling with 4^th of July Roses, they tread on the random stone path with iris’s, peonies, lirope, ferns and a smattering of impatiens.  It is not uncommon for a client to wait in the garden under a Redbud tree for their session while Davis is finishing up with another therapy sitting.

“People are very vulnerable, especially the first time you experience a session.” Davis explains, “It takes a lot of courage to come and discuss issues.  People don’t want to be judged and this garden seems to set the tone, relaying that things will be okay.  Many people are at the end of their rope and this space leaves a feeling of hope for the better.”

Davis is on the right track, in fact a study performed at Kaiser Permanente Hospital showed the electronic brainwaves of subjects gardening and found a striking resemblance to the brainwave activity of people who regularly meditate.  Garden therapy is like letting the stressful, pent up air out of your lungs and replacing it with healthy, fresh air.  Other studies have shown that patients in hospitals actually heal about twice as fast if they have rooms with a view of the garden.  Staffs at psychiatric hospitals have reported the mental benefits of being in nature are shown in the increased ability to make decisions, an elevated confidence and self-esteem and hope are prevalent themes these health care workers witness in patients. 

When I asked Davis her opinion on these findings, she said, “I think there is a lot of truth to that.  People have really discovered how important nature and beauty are to the human race.  It puts you more in touch with yourself and with a higher spirit.”

Another study conducted at Rutgers University highlighted the effect of flowers on recipients.  According to the study, the simple presence of flowers had an immediate impact on that person’s emotional state.  In the experiment they delivered a number of gifts to various subjects, one of the gifts in the mix was a bouquet of flowers.  The delivery person was told to look for the recipient’s expression, particularly the Duchenne smile, often called a “genuine” smile when the lines around the eyes crinkle.  Out of 150 tested, 100% of the subjects produced this smile with the bouquet gift, men and women across the board.

“Nature does have a calming effect,” Davis agrees, “I find it incredibly therapeutic to dig in the dirt.  There is a great personal satisfaction in gardening.  It is how adults can play, you get dirty and stinky and muddy and it is fun plus exceedingly rewarding and I’m not even a good gardener.”  Davis looks at her Cottage Hill Counseling garden as her own artistic expression and admits if it doesn’t grow she pretty much moves on.  But the courtyard is relaxing, her hardy plant choices are thriving and the idea of counseling mixed with this enchanted scene is both an appealing and calming route when it feels like all the turkey’s are holding you down. 

Color of Flowers Effects on Mood:

• Red Roses:  Increase energy, it boosts adrenal glands producing energy.
• Yellow Sunflowers: Enhance alertness, light waves stimulate the brain.  Associated with the sun’s rays this also brings a sense of optimism.
• Green Hosta Leafs: Slows the nervous system, people breathe slower and relax the heart.
• Indigo Irises:  Indigo stimulates the brains pineal gland, aiding in sleep and freeing the mind of worries and inhibitions.
• Orange Lilies:  Orange strengthens the immune system, the lungs, the digestive system and can stimulate sexual organs.