By Jax Stys, certified life coach
Quick answer: Do fresh flowers boost your mood? Yes. In a Rutgers study, every woman who was handed flowers gave a real, happy smile, and older adults who got flowers were happier and seemed less depressed. A small bunch on your counter is one of the easiest mood lifts there is. It’s cheap. It’s pretty. And it works.
Hey you. I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m Jax, a certified life and wellness coach for women over 40. I teach women to build a life they love one small habit at a time. This is one of my favorite small habits, because it takes about five minutes a week.
Let’s get into it.
Yes, and there’s real research behind it. In 2005, psychologist Jeannette Haviland-Jones and her team at Rutgers University ran three flower studies published in Evolutionary Psychology. Here’s what they found:
You can read a quick summary in the Rutgers news release on EurekAlert.
Try this: Next time you shop, grab one bunch of flowers. Put it where you’ll see it first thing in the morning.
Because midlife is full. Work, kids, aging parents, hormones, and money can fill every minute of your day. When life is that busy, your brain needs small, easy reasons to pause.
Flowers give you that pause. You see the color while you pour your coffee. You smell them when you walk by. For a second, you’re not rushing. You’re just here.
A Harvard team led by psychologist Nancy Etcoff also looked at flowers in the home. People felt happier and had more energy after seeing flowers first thing in the morning. They also felt less worried. To be fair, that study was shared by a flower industry group, the Society of American Florists. So I see it as a nice bonus, not the main proof.
Why it works over 40: You can’t control your hormones or your to-do list. But you can control what you see on your kitchen counter.
A glimmer is a tiny moment that makes you feel calm, safe, or happy. It’s the opposite of a trigger. A warm mug, a song you love, the sun on your face. Those are glimmers.
Fresh flowers are glimmers you can buy on purpose. You set them out once, and they hand you little moments of joy all week.
I wrote a whole post on this. Read how to find tiny moments of joy and calm in midlife.
Yes. Flowers are a daily reminder to notice what’s good. When you look at them, ask yourself one question: “What’s one good thing about today?”
That’s it. One question. One answer.
Pair it with a 2-minute journal moment and you have a simple gratitude habit. Here’s my easy journaling and gratitude routine.
Try this: Every time you change the flower water, write down three things you’re grateful for.
Start small and make it easy. You don’t need a florist or a big budget. A grocery store bunch works great.
Fresh water and a fresh cut make the biggest difference. Here’s the simple routine:
Yes. A 2005 Rutgers study found that flowers caused real, happy smiles and better moods. In one part of the study, older adults who got flowers were happier and seemed less depressed than those who didn’t.
Once a week is a great rhythm. Most grocery store flowers last about a week with fresh water. Buying them on the same day each week makes it an easy habit.
Put them where you’ll see them often, especially in the morning. The kitchen, your nightstand, and your desk are all great spots.
No. A simple grocery store bunch or even one stem works. What matters is that you see them and enjoy them every day.
A glimmer is a small moment that makes you feel calm, safe, or happy. Fresh flowers are an easy way to add glimmers to your day.
You don’t need a big change to feel better.
You need one small joy.
Then another.
Then another.
Start with one bunch of flowers this week. Notice how it feels.
And if you want help building a life full of small habits that add up, take the free Glow Assessment. It’s the easiest first step.
With love and confidence,
Jax
This post shares my personal experience and is not medical advice. If low mood or worry won’t lift, please talk to your doctor.
