Do you want to know the secret to a happier, more productive office? Flowers!
As humans, we have a biological desire to be close to nature and other living things. There is actually a term for it; biophilia hypothesis.
However, the place where we spend the majority of our day is often stark, bare, and void of anything connected to nature.
There are many benefits to having fresh cut flowers in the office. This is true if you have a building full of employees or work out of a home office.
Let’s take a look at 10 reasons to have flowers in the office!
1. Flowers Reduce Stress
Flowers are nature’s anti-depressant. Just being around them elevates the mood and lowers stress. It is even thought that seeing flowers releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical in the brain.
Everyone enjoys seeing a brightly colored arrangement of fresh flowers. The dread of coming in every day can be replaced with a peaceful feeling when seeing the beautiful blossoms.
Flowers help you refocus on the beauty of the world and this allows for the anxiety and tension of everything else to fade into the background.
2. Flowers Promote a Healthy Environment
When people have less stress and are happier, they tend to also be healthier. It has long been proven that being joyful and living in the moment opens the way for a healthier lifestyle.
When flowers are present around an office, the employees call in with fewer sick days. They also report having an all-around better sense of wellbeing.
If you are looking to provide this benefit for your employees but don’t want the hassle of going out every day for fresh flowers, you should try a delivery service that provides flowers for offices.
3. Flowers Provide Clean Air
Part of a healthy environment is clean air. Flowers at work provide better air quality. They absorb toxins, like carbon dioxide, as part of their natural process.
They also help reduce the number of pollutants in the air. This results in few allergies and even certain skin irritations.
4. Flowers Increase Productivity
Flowers have a proven record of increasing productivity. Another upside is that it doesn’t take a room full of them to see the benefits. Strategically placed arrangements where employees can see them has a positive psychological effect.
People who are positive and happier work better and are more productive. Having fresh flowers in a testing environment will even help boost tests scores.
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5. Flowers Make the Whole Office More Attractive
Fresh indoor flowers sitting around the workspace adds a colorful and bright touch. As soon as people walk in, their mood is lifted and they enjoy being there.
Even visitors will feel connected and appreciate the beautiful surroundings while they are there. It has also been suggested that people are more inclined to accept a job offer if they interview in an office with flowers.
6. Flowers Boost Creativity
Offices that incorporate flowers in the work environment report a higher dose of creativity. The theory is that being a part of nature visually switches the brain into a more relaxed mood and changes the processing core.
The employee who is more connected with nature and relaxed will concentrate more deeply and tap more into their creative side.
7. Flowers Lift the Mood
A happy worker makes for a happy organization. Job satisfaction ranks high in an employee’s longevity at a company. Having fresh desk flowers makes people more cheerful and enjoy their surroundings more.
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Flowers also trigger a gratitude response. Everyone loves to receive flowers. It is an instant joyous event.
Imagine your employees feeling that every day when they walk into work.
8. Flowers Encourage Calmness
The workday can be hectic with deadlines, meetings and often dealing with other people. In addition to the visual benefits that flowers bring to the office, they also offer a pleasing fragrance.
Many flowers produce scents that trigger a calming and peaceful reaction. Just breathing in the delightful smell of flowers can help decompress the anxiety of a chaotic workday.
9. Flowers Aid in Memory
Scientists are not exactly sure how this works in the brain, but the scent of certain flowers appear to help memory recall and concentration. Roses offer the best benefit when it comes to memory enhancement.
Having fresh flowers will not guarantee that you or your employee will never forget a crucial detail again, but it is easy to see how the many psychological benefits of flowers could definitely help someone stay more focused and remember what needs to get done.
10. Flowers Inspire Bonding
The giving and receiving of flowers is a social encounter. They bring about thoughts of kindness and positive interactions with others. In fact, the gift of flowers creates a strong social bond.
The thought behind this, as flowers make us relaxed and happy, we are more open to the people around us. We warm up and engage with them on a personal level.
This behavior creates a pleasant work atmosphere and decreases strife within the ranks.
Which Flowers Go Best at the Office
Now that you know the wonderful benefits of having fresh flowers at the workplace, which flowers are the best choice?
Daisies
Daisies are actually wildflowers that are simple and bright. They come in a variety of colors, from orange to red to yellow and white with several shades of pink. They evoke memories of summer and playing outside in the sun. They are a symbol of innocence and cheer.
They are an excellent choice for inside office flowers as they have a vase life of up to 14 days.
Carnations
Carnations are another long-lasting cut flower. They can also last almost two weeks.
They come in almost any color imaginable and work well within a larger arrangement.
Tulips
Tulips are the flowers that usher in spring. That alone gives them a warm and welcoming feel and gives us thoughts of fresh beginnings.
They are very simple flowers that come in many colors. They always brighten the room wherever they are.
Roses
There is no other flower so loved as the classic rose. It has been used for centuries in celebrations, mythology and is the universal symbol of love.
In some cultures, the rose symbolizes balance and offers hope. The rose has an elegant look and is used often in weddings and to give someone as a show of your friendship or commitment.
As a romantic gesture, the rose has a soothing effect, so that would also translate into less stress in the work atmosphere with more roses around.
How to Care for Cut Flowers
Having a fresh flower delivery service for your office takes the work out of the best way to cut and ship flowers, but there are still some simples steps needed to keep them looking vibrant for several days.
The first rule is to keep them out of extreme temperatures. They should be kept in a climate controlled environment away from any drafty areas.
In a little known fact, it is also a good idea to keep the arrangement away from fruit that is sitting out. You should also keep flowers in a smoke-free area.
While sitting on a window sill may seem like a good idea, direct sunlight could actually cause them to wilt. Pick a central location for display and preferably a location that is cool.
As soon as any flowers or leaves fade or wilt, remove them.
It is important to keep the vase or container filled with water. All the stems should be underwater.
In addition, you may also need to change the water out; especially if it gets cloudy.
To change the water, first, get rid of all dying flowers. Remove the rest and carefully lay them aside. Wash the vase with warm, soapy water as this will get rid of bacteria that might cause them to fade faster. Rinse the vase completely.
Replace the water and add in a flower preservative. Most deliveries will provide this for you. Use it per the directions on the packet.
You can also trim the stems at an angle with a sharp knife. Make the cut a couple of inches from the end of the stem. This cut lets them absorb the water more freely.
Enjoying the Beauty
Most people have to spend at least a portion of their workday in some type of office environment. With today’s technology and amenities, those are usually pretty comfortable surroundings.
There is more to a productive workday, however, then a fast computer, a coffee machine, and a cushioned chair. As humans, we want to be connected to the world around us. Flowers in the office is an excellent way to provide that connection along with the many other benefits discussed.
Having fresh cut flowers for your employees, or at your own home office, will generate productivity, creativity and an overall sense of wellness.
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