Written by: Brittney McKinley, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When was the last time you purchased or received flowers? When you think about it, it was probably for an occasion. Maybe a birthday, an anniversary, perhaps it was a holiday like Valentine's Day? Typically, when people purchase flowers for themselves or others, it is mainly for the aesthetics of the space. Have you ever heard of purchasing flowers and herbs for their energetic properties?
I'd purchased flowers in the past because of their looks and how they made me feel, but I didn't understand why. I worked for corporate America in 2022 with high-end clientele, and our entire division was furloughed. I'd never lost a job before and didn't realize it was a grief I needed to process. I began to realize I attached my worth to the position I held. Shortly after, I experienced anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome while launching my company, Contained Stems.
Flowers have always been a part of my life, but it was at this moment I began to practice with them intentionally and mindfully.
Here are five ways flowers can enhance our well-being
1. Mood-enhancing flowers, neurotransmitters, and our limbic system
Our limbic system is a complex set of structures within the brain primarily involved in emotions, behavior, motivation, long-term memory, and olfaction (the sense of smell). It is sometimes referred to as the "emotional brain" or the "primitive brain" because it is believed to be one of the most ancient parts of the brain in evolutionary terms. Serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine are neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons in the brain. These neurotransmitters play crucial roles in modulating emotional responses, motivation, and reward processing, all of which are functions associated with the limbic system.
The role of serotonin
Serotonin is primarily produced in the raphe nuclei, clusters of neurons in the brainstem. These neurons send projections throughout the brain, influencing mood, emotions, and various physiological processes. When someone receives flowers, an array of emotions can arise depending on the occasion, but one emotion is likely to feel happy, thus enhancing their current mood. This is a direct connection to the production of serotonin. Sunflowers are a great example of a mood-enhancing flower as this species is known to symbolize positivity. In their natural environment and water, the cut flowers turn towards the sun for light. Sunflowers serve as a beautiful reminder to have a positive outlook on life and to be cheerful. Sunflower seeds are edible and high in antioxidants that provide our body with nutrients to build our immune system and promote healthy heart functions and healthier skin.
The role of oxytocin
Oxytocin is mainly produced in the hypothalamus, specifically in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. It is released into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin plays a role in social bonding, trust, maternal behavior, and sexual reproduction. With flowers being a great conversation starter in work and social environments, engaging in activities involving flowers can lead to community engagement which builds trust amongst others. At Contained Stems, we offer Floral Wellness Workshops that consist of guided breath-work practices, mindful floral design, and conclude in floral meditation. These Workshops have been highly received in corporate settings as they offer unique team-building exercises that support wellness initiatives. We have also seen an interest in couples, as it allows partners to create custom arrangements and bouquets for one another, deepening their bond and connection while inviting a sense of play.
The role of dopamine
Dopamine is synthesized in several areas of the brain, including the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). These regions are part of the midbrain. Dopamine is involved in various functions, including reward-motivated behavior, pleasure, motor control, and cognition. Offering someone flowers after a performance, show, competition, etc., releases dopamine and is a physical representation of rewarding them for a job well done, gratitude, love, and support.
2. Intentional incorporation of flowers into your self-care routine
By now, we are all becoming more comfortable with buying ourselves flowers. We can log onto social media and see women, men, and non-binary individuals purchasing, arranging, and displaying flowers for themselves. We can stream Miley Cyrus singing about it. But, most importantly, we don't have to feel bad or wait for anyone else to do what makes us feel good or provide us with what we like.
Take a moment to think about what your intentional practices look like. What's that one thing you reward yourself for making time for, whether you have lots of energy or little to give? This can be a bath, foot and hand soaks, face steams, or an all-around home spa day. Creating intentional practices for yourself with flowers can improve your self-love and self-expression and open your curiosity for self-discovery. While engaging in these practices and rituals, you know exactly what is going into them, leaving out any harsh or harmful chemicals, and feel connected to nature.
Intentional practices and rituals can be great for decompressing, stress relief, and carving out time to connect with yourself. This is the ultimate way to romanticize yourself. Our tip would be to utilize these flowers in your self-care routine when they've almost exceeded their lifespan to receive the fullest use of them, beyond their container.
3. Including flowers into your mindfulness practices
Practices like yoga, meditation, and breathwork can be bridges to profound connections to your inner world and spirituality. Aside from awakening your spirituality, these practices can help balance your mental and emotional well-being by enhancing your awareness, regulating your nervous system, reducing stressors, and improving your physical health. Adding flowers to these practices by lining your mat, having a focused arrangement in your space, and including sensory elements while in practice can increase the benefits you may receive. Flowers can offer a sense of grounding, and assist with balancing your Chakras and connecting with the earth.
4. Understanding the symbolic meaning of flowers and benefits to help mindful purchasing on what you need
Have you ever gone to your local flower shop to purchase flowers because you needed a quick pick me up and purchased solely on what looks good or what your go-to favorite flower may be? I believe we are all guilty of it with no fault of our own because the floristry industry has been secretive for so long. At Contained Stems, when a client inquires, one of the questions we ask is: "How are you feeling"? Notice our wording in "feeling" versus "doing." We ask this question because we want to make the connection of knowing what they feel to help determine what they need. Each flower variety holds specific symbolism to its meaning and provides benefits. The floristry industry is known to write blogs about an overview of the symbolism of flowers. While symbolism and representation are important, it is helpful to understand how flowers can benefit you. For example, tulips mean rebirth, which is why they're a common flower for those who celebrate Easter but are also used in skin regimes as they can promote hydration. Hydrangeas represent abundance, but the root can be made into tea for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory impacts. We look at clients purchasing flowers similarly to clients who purchase crystals and want to know what they need to call in. Reframing your brain to set this intention first the next time you buy flowers can help you receive more from them and mindfully make your purchase.
5. Understanding everything is energy, including flowers
By now, you should understand everything in this world is made of energy, including you, everything you touch and see, and of course, your flowers. Flowers tend to be measured at a frequency of 300 MHZ per stem, but roses, in particular, hold the highest measured at 320 MHZ. With roses holding such a high frequency, they are the closest flower to universal love, measured at 528 MHZ. This bridges the connection for why roses are a popular choice for holidays, weddings, celebrations, and anniversaries; and while the purchaser may not know it, roses are raising the energy of a space or for a recipient in the background. Including flowers in your spaces or giving them to a loved one contains energizing properties that can influence productivity, creativity, love, and more. Roses are always a best seller in the floristry world not only because they are well known but because subconsciously, I believe everyone knows the world needs more love.
Launching Contained Stems was both a personal and professional journey for me. Through my bouts of anxiety, depression, processing grief, and experiencing imposter syndrome, I leaned into my practices. I found the intentional practice with flowers enhanced my emotional and mental well-being while birthing my company. Contained Stems specializes in the art of floral healing as this is what I felt the industry was missing. We merge floristry and wellness to benefit our clients aesthetically and energetically. I am the first Floral Wellness Designer in the world who believes my purpose is not only to help make this world a more beautiful place, but to educate clients on how flowers can benefit them and their spaces to promote self-love, incorporating flowers into your healing modality, and mindfully purchasing and designing.
Upon reading this article, I hope that you are introduced to a new outlook on floristry, whether that be for your clients or yourself. It is time we reconnect with the gifts nature has offered us to find a deeper connection of healing within ourselves. Our emails and DM's are always open should you need support and guidance: support@containedstems.com and @Containedstems [Instagram].
Brittney McKinley, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Brittney began her entreprenuerialship journey after being furloughed from her corporate career and experiencing anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome that she turned to intentional practices with flowers to heal herself: mind, body, and spirit. Through this journey, she found self-love, living in and on purpose, and aligning her innate gifts to birth her brand. Contained Stems teaches clients more than floral design, but education, science, chromotherapy, breath-work, mediation, and solfeggio frequencies, while connecting to nature's resources. Experiences are offered in-person, virtually, and for travel. Brittney continues to defy any societal standards placed on her brand.
