International Nurses Day

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May is an important month for health, nurses and mental health awareness.

Every year on May 12th we celebrate International Nurses Day. Nurses save lives and create wellbeing and International Nurses Day is a day in which nurses around the world are celebrated for the fantastic work that they do on a daily basis. It also happens to be Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

Following this, beginning on the second Monday in May for one week, is #MentalHealthAwareness week, in which activities to raise awareness about mental health will be encouraged across the country. This year’s theme is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies.

Keeping yourself healthy is a key factor to longevity; therefore, making small changes throughout your routine today could benefit you greatly in later life.

Some of these changes are easier to identify, such as eating healthier food and exercising regularly.

However, a fact that some might be unaware of are the health benefits that plants and flowers can bring to the individual.

 

The Benefits of Flowers

In addition to being visually beautiful and having an appealing scent, flowers and plants also hold several proven health benefits.

1. Flowers Improve Anxiety

Most widely reported is the reduction in anxiety levels that flowers can provide.

For those suffering from anxiety, which is a third of us in the UK, flowers are said to restore some short-term calm and alleviate stress.

 

2. Flowers Can Improve Memory

A brilliant health benefit of flowers and plants, rosemary in particular, is the fact that they can sharpen the individual’s powers of recall.

In a 2015 experiment by Northumbria University, professors found that individuals who were surrounded by rosemary were able to remember more items from a specifically designed test as opposed to participants who had been surrounded with no flora.

 

3. Flowers Encourage Productivity

Through providing visual stimulation, flowers can encourage productivity in the workplace and increase brain performance.

Whilst a minimalist office might appear better to some, an office with plenty of plants and flowers can have a greater effect on the amount of work produced in it.

 

4. Flowers Can Fast-track Recovery

Many individuals report recovering quicker when surrounded with gifts of flowers and plants. There are many studies which prove that views of nature have a significant impact on patient outcomes, healing rates and also reduction of pain perception. This study showed the effects the environmental design plays on a patient’s outcome.

This is due to a number of factors: relieving stress and providing stimulation being only a couple.

 

5. Flowers Can Improve Mood

As flowers and plants are visually stunning, their appearance can improve the mood of those admiring them.

In addition, the injection of colour can brighten up a workspace, and the incredible fragrances ensure that the room is inviting and fresh.

 

6. Flowers and Plants Purify the Air

Indoor air-pollution within the workplace is an issue which contributes to thousands of sick days being taken each year.

This is when stagnant air sits within the building and has no opportunity to be circulated.

Flowers and plants can be used to combat this issue, as they absorb VCOP’s from the air as they take in carbon dioxide, and give off oxygen, thus purifying the air.

 

Healing Gardens

All of these health benefits are recognised in hospitals and other healthcare facilities throughout the implementation of healing gardens.

Healing gardens are areas of colourful flowers and plants where a patient can visit to promote recovery, find refuge and benefit from the peaceful surroundings.

In addition, in human nature is the innate desire to be near natural components such as flowers and plants.

This is called biophilia, and healing gardens provide the perfect access to these benefits.

 

Consider corporate flower bouquets to improve the working environment at your company – contact Planteria today.