Real talk: Grocery shopping is the last thing we want to do when we're feeling stressed (or anytime, if we're being honest). But new research might have a relaxing solution, and it's easily purchased at the store.
A new study out of the University of North Florida found that adding flower bouquets to indoor environments results in a “statistically significant and meaningful reduction in stress.”
170 women were surveyed about their perceived stress levels at the beginning and the end of a 12-day period. Five days in, each participant received either flowers, a comparable gift (a luxury candle) or nothing. At the end of the study, those who received flowers reported improved moods and reduced stress levels. On average, the reduction in stress among the flowers group was minus 5.5 points on the Perceived Stress Questionnaire. Whoa.
So the next time you feel your blood boiling in the checkout line, pick up a bouquet (or two). It just might calm you down.
