Whether you are at home or at work and a fresh flower delivery arrives, you cannot help but feel happy. While some might say that it is the sheer joy of receiving a flower gift, there is an even deeper reason behind our happiness. When we see beautiful flowers, this triggers the production of some very specific hormones called oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin.
Oxytocin
The oxytocin hormone is responsible for giving you that feeling of love, trust and attachment. Whether you would like to reinforce your relationship or regain somebody’s trust, fresh flowers can have that exact effect. Flowers are able to stimulate social trust in a number of ways. They are a reflection of the sender’s respect for fragility such as the fragile nature of certain relationships. They are also a clear indication, on the sender’s part, that they are invested in the relationship or friendship. Plus, when you receive flowers, oxytocin production is triggered because, as the recipient, you now know the feelings and intentions of the sender.
Dopamine
The production of dopamine is triggered by that expectation of a reward. When you think about competitions all around the world and the presentation of prizes, flower bouquets are almost always presented along with the main gift. Since the days of pre-civilisation, our brains have recognized flowers as the symbol of abundance. This is because we associate them with the end of winter and the arrival of warmer, more fruitful times. When we relied on hunting and gathering, this instinct was extremely essential. Similarly, bright colours attract our attention and have an even greater effect on our moods. This is also due to our old hunter-gatherer instincts. Our ancestors would ensure that they enjoyed a balanced diet by selecting foods of various colours. When they spotted something colourful nearby, they were attracted to it because of the effect of dopamine.
Serotonin
Many people refer to serotonin when they speak about depression but this feel-good chemical can also be produced when you experience increased social importance. Flowers play a significant role for the recipient as well as the sender in this regard. Firstly, when you receive flowers, you cannot help but feel like you are important. If you are at work, your co-workers will probably end up staring and they will ask you who sent you such a gorgeous bouquet. As far as the sender is concerned, they receive a serotonin boost thanks to the satisfaction they get out of giving. When you pamper somebody you care about, you feel good about what you have done – like a good deed. When the recipient thanks you over the phone, in writing or even in person, it gives you another boost of satisfaction!
A number of studies have been conducted over the years. It has been noted that fresh flowers make people happy regardless of their age or gender. From the moment that the flower delivery is made until the day the flowers perish. Whenever the recipient sees their flower gift on display, it will fill them with joy all over again. So, no matter the occasion, when you want to spoil somebody special with a gift that will bring them the purest form of happiness.
ha hhappinessjoy – send flowers!