Newspaper Crowns Flowers for 2005 The Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune declared TiVo, the iPod Photo and a great pair of jeans as some of 2005's "must haves," and her No. 7 pick: fresh flowers!! The author writes, "Here's an easy one. Nothing, and I mean nothing, brings a smile to my face like fresh flowers." She also refers to them as "a beautiful reminder of nature's glory." (The newspaper is the largest in Southwestern Florida, with a circulation of more than 100,000.) Rutger's Study In the floral industry we understand the positive impact flowers have on people. To demonstrate this scientifically, SAF partnered with world-renowned researcher Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, on a groundbreaking study to examine the effect of flowers on human emotion and well being. The research provides scientific proof that flowers increase happiness and life satisfaction, and lead to increased contact with family and friends. Here are the specific results: 1.Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. Study participants expressed "true" or "excited" smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups. 2.Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction. 3.Flowers make intimate connections.The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends. 4.Flowers are a symbol for sharing.The study explored where in their homes people display flowers. Once received, arrangements were placed in areas of the home that are open to visitors - such as foyers, living rooms and dining rooms - suggesting that flowers make the space more welcoming and create a sharing atmosphere. "The symbolic significance and the universal impact of flowers remains its outstanding feature," said Dr. Haviland-Jones."In my work, I rarely find anything that contributes to such significant mood changes as the floral arrangements did." Send us an email from our "info" page.