The Powers of Flowers: Stress, Image, and Brain Improvements

Flowers are drawn with nature's artistic hand across a landscape canvas. With bright colors flowers offer something more than a beautiful landscape but a tantalizing feast for our eyes and food for our soul. There is something inherent in flowers that brighten our day and help us think about how beautiful the wild can really be.

Flowers are a powerful representation of emotion and beauty. They are so powerful that those who hold onto a bunch of flowers seem to have a positive aura about them. Consider a study of male and female hitchhikers holding onto flowers. Men holding flowers got a ride by both sexes more than either women with or without flowers (Gueguen, Meineri & Stefan, 2012).

Flowers seem to make us more approachable and provide a trait of aesthetic appreciation. Those that can find beauty in this world seem to carry with them traits that include empathy, kindness, and sensitivity. There is no doubt why artists, poets, and painters love flowers.

It is also beneficial to consider the stress and brain enhancements that come with flowers. According to research people who take a stroll in nature have higher brain functioning and lower levels of stress (As cited in Green, 2011). The same applies to those who look at pictures of flowers and destress from all of the days worries.

With all the benefits of flowers I am concerned that more people don't find them of interest. Putting a few pictures on your office or home wall will certainly allow for a more artistic feel to spruce up your environment while reducing stress levels. Go for a walk if you can or put some pictures of flowers on your office wall.

I engage in some hobby artistic photography and painting as one way to keep in touch with and study nature. The imagination this work entails offers cognitive flexibility and innovative creativity hard to find in other activities. If you are interested in purchasing a picture you may do so on the Creative Works page or you may buy related products like mugs or cell phone cases on Fine Art America.

Creative Works

Fine Art America

Gueguen, N. Meineri, Sebastien, Stefan, J. (2012).  "Say it with Flowers"...to Female Drivers: Hitchhikers Holding Flowers and Driver Behavior. North American Journal of Psychology, 14 (3).

Green, J. (2011). Research Shows Nature Helps With Stress. Dirt. Retrieved http://dirt.asla.org/2011/09/08/research-shows-nature-helps-with-stress/

Outdoor Photography-Pictures for the Soul

Pictures of Leo Carrillo Ranch

Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park is located in Carlsbad California and was once home to the actor Leo Carrillo. It is a 27 acre well manicured location that has been restored to its original beauty. One can find various plant life, flowers, old fashion buildings, and much more that represents the early settlers and history of California.  You will not want to miss the peacocks and groove on the property.

Leo Carrillo was from a long line of California notables. He was an actor and civil servant that spent a great many years doing both.  Born in 1881 and died in 1961 he spent a great amount of time as a conservationist that tried to protect the land. He was part of the California Beach and Parks Commission.

It is open most days of the week and is free for visitors. Free does not mean that it is not in need of funds, donations, and support. You may want to view and contact the Friends of Carillo organization to see how you may help at their website or the City of Carlsbad website.

Address: 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92009

Phone:(760) 476-1042 

Pictures of La Jolla Beach at Sunset

La Jolla beach is well groomed and maintained. The park is located next to the beach and on the weekends, you can find many activities from volleyball to scuba diving. Of course, the surfers are out there in mass and it is possible to see a line of them waiting for the next great Kahuna wave.  You can walk or jog on the beach. A common photography area is the pier. Enjoy the pictures.