This is a four-part series on DIY flower arrangements and the mental benefits of floral therapy.

・Part 1 – Introduction to the Power of Flowers
・Part 2 – Floral Healing through Preparation
・Part 3 – The Art of Ikebana
・Part 4 – The Meditative Reflection of Flower Petal Mandalas

Floral Therapy for Better Well-Being

Most people would be delighted by bright-colored flower bouquets from a loved one. Simple fresh-cut flowers on a cafe table is an appreciated touch, and the beautiful blooms in the wild adding a pop of color in nature can be a blissful sight. Whatever the form, flowers have had the power to boost our moods with its color, scent, shape, and liveliness. As we’ve mentioned in our other post, No More Drowsiness at the Desk! Benefits of Greening the Office, keeping live indoor plants can have numerous benefits on our creativity, task performance, and overall well-being. Yes, of course, live plants include flowers too! Some flowers even have amazing scents used in aromatherapy, which studies say relieves anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The physical body use of flower arranging tasks activates the upper limb muscles and can be a helpful rehabilitation exercise as well.

What if the process of bringing these flowers into your home and arranging them gave you that extra push towards a happier state? In this four-part series, I will introduce ways to maximize your DIY flower arrangement activity as a therapeutic experience with floral therapy.

Increasing Interest in Flower Arrangements as Floral Therapy

Flowers have been used in many spiritual rituals throughout history since ancient Eygpt as a means to connect with nature and the gods or as a way of expression for special occasions. As for examples today, we see marigolds brightly decorating altars for the Day of the Dead in Mexico, or daily flower ‘offerings’ made to the Gods in front of every building in Bali, Indonesia. The common thread of sacredness or spirituality of flowers and some of these ritual practices are associated with mindfulness.

History of Flower Arrangements

The oldest known book on flower arrangments is from ancient Japan, dating back to 1445, known as ikebana. Ikebana, still to this day, remains a popular art form practiced internationally. Extensive science on the therapeutic effects of flower arranging is just starting to emerge. We can trace back floral therapy and psychology starting 2008 in Japan when the Institute for the Psychological Study of Human Flower Relations was first founded. By 2011, the proper use in therapy spread as Floral Therapy or Hana (Japanese word for ‘flower’) Therapy. The concept is to use the five senses of visual, sound, smell, taste, and touch as you handle the flowers. They categorize the healing effects of floral therapy into three main parts; color therapy through visual stimulation, aromatherapy through scent, and the act of arranging as creative art therapy.

Given the strong evidence of physical and mental benefits from initial research, The Ikebana Therapy Scientific Society was founded in 2019. Their mission is to further conduct specialized research on the therapeutic qualities of Japanese flower arrangements. In Western culture, explicit research on floral arrangements tend to get categorized into horticultural therapy, a broader study of floral therapy through gardening and plant-based activities. Just recently as 2018, Floral Healing Therapy (FHT) was created in the U.S. for the first time as a new therapeutic modality that utilizes flowers. This is a specialized session you go through with a therapist as you talk and arrange flowers as a way to heal. We are in an exciting phase where more research and studies on flower arrangements are about to come out!

Now that we have some background knowledge of the potential healing effects of flower arrangements and floral therapy, the next step is to prepare for this DIY activity. Up next in Part 2, we will talk about Floral Healing through Preparation of our flowers!

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Many people love movies, music, paintings, and other artists’ works as entertainment and/or relaxation. While the enjoyment of other people’s art is a great stress-reliever in itself, self-expressive art therapy has its own positive effects on mental health.

Stress Relief Through Self Expression Therapy

When we think of creativity, we may think of it as a profession like writing novels, painting, or composing music. This gives the impression that it’s something complex. In reality, creativity is simply giving shape to your inner self and outwardly expressing anything that comes from within. Free expression of our inner feelings leads to a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. While it’s an effective method of relieving stress, many of us have limited opportunities to do so.

Social media is an easy place where we can share our experiences and feelings in the form of photographs and short sentences. However, the public visibility of it may limit our output. The fear of embarrassment and criticism makes it a difficult place to present ourselves freely. Therefore, art therapy using expressive art is a very effective method of stress relief. Self-expressionism has many positive effects in terms of mental health.

What Is Art Therapy?

In general, art therapy aims to nurture self-awareness and growth through the act of drawing. Regardless of your skill level or experience, drawing can be effective in stress relief through the act of artistic self-expression. There’s also “Arts Therapy,” which refers to painting, music, dance, drama, and poetry. Therapeutic art has gained interest over the years, and many medical facilities have implemented all kinds of arts therapy including, but not limited to, painting therapy, miniature-crafting therapy, etc.

Self Expression in Art Therapy is Good for the Brain

Art therapy can improve our blood circulation because we move our fingers and activate the brain. The neurotransmitter dopamine also increases, promoting a sense of calmness in the brain.

An experiment measured cortisol levels in the saliva of participants before and after a drawing class. Cortisol is also known as a stress hormone and it increases when we feel stressed. Results showed that cortisol levels decreased by more than 10% in approximately 60% of subjects after the class.

Self-expression gives us a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Therefore, self-expression therapy through drawing is a great method of stress relief. It’s an easy practice to incorporate into our daily lives because we can draw anytime, anywhere. Just as long as we have a pen and paper. This, therefore, makes it an excellent self-care exercise.

Easy Art Therapy Through Coloring

Drawing is a useful self-care method, but you may end up feeling more stressed if you feel like you’re not any good at it. If that’s the case for you, may I suggest coloring? Coloring in your favorite colors can make you feel relaxed and relieve the stress that you’re holding onto.

All you need to do is pick up your favorite colors and fill in the pre-drawn outlines in a coloring book. It’s not nearly as difficult as drawing from scratch. You don’t have to think too much, so you can relax and simply shift your focus to coloring. For instance, try using different colors that reflect your mood and create a unique piece of expressive art. This is a great method of stress relief through self-expression if you’re not confident in drawing. Moreover, there are many coloring books for adults available at bookstores or online. Coloring is a great easy starter in art therapy for stress relief. Let’s give it a try!

Self-expression therapy using art is easy, relaxing, fun. What’s more, it’s very good for our mental health. For a more detailed dive into how to practice art therapy, check out the article below. Try a few different exercises in expressive art and see which one works for you!

Looking to improve your mental wellbeing? Try the SELF MIND app FREE for 1 week!
If you’re looking for more tips on how to care for your mental health, check out some of our past blog posts!

References:
Nakamichi, Y., Samejima, M., Shouzhi G., Sugiura, T. Picture therapy and the evaluation of its effect on relaxation by salivary cortisol. (2006). Bulletin of Department of Nursing, Seirei Christopher College. (14), 169-176. https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110005857929

Ito Rumi. Thoughts on Art Therapy and Art Education. (2014). Human Relations. (13), 139-152. https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110009884320

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“What is your favorite color?” Perhaps you have a straightforward go-to answer for this question, and you’re very clear on which color best represents you. On the other hand, some may be a hard choice between a few favorites. I once met a person who said she couldn’t choose her favorite color, so she chose black because it was a mix of all colors. Whatever your choice of color, the reason you’re often drawn to it could be because of your subconscious associations for each color, and its unique psychological effects. This theory is known as color psychology.

The Psychology of Subconscious Color Meanings

If colors were signaling feelings and behavioral suggestions to us, what would that look like, and what would each color mean? Moreover, what are the psychological effects of color and how do they affect our subconscious? I’ve lightly mentioned it in Self-Help by Using Fashion Effects to Your Advantage as well, but color psychology is a whole field of study that looks at how colors affect our emotions and behavior. Studies prove that the psychological effects of color are much more potent than we immediately recognize in our day-to-day lives. For example, when a group of patients took the same exact pill in different colors, the placebo effects of each pill significantly changed depending on the color. If this is true, then it’s worthwhile to reevaluate the colors you surround yourself with and what psychological effects each color may be signaling to your subconscious mind.

Firstly, let’s try and understand some of the universal and general meanings of basic colors.

Subconscious Meaning of the Color Red

In color psychology, red is the most provocative color for emotions and attracts more attention than any other color. Therefore, the color evokes strong imagery through subconscious color associations. No matter where in the world, biology, cultures, and languages all universally point to the significance of the color red. This is why it’s also the most studied color in science and psychology.

・Association: Energy, power, courage, strength, determination, confidence, passion, love, desire, danger, anger, stress, blood, and war.
・Reactions: Raises heart rate and blood pressure. Enhances metabolism and libido. Increases respiration rate, enthusiasm, energy, and confidence.

Subconscious Meaning of the Color Orange

In color psychology, orange is an extroverted, adventurous, and joyful color that carries traits from both red and yellow. Moreover, the color is often linked to the fruit with the same name and vitamin C. In subconscious color associations, the psychological effects of this color are generally associated with positive and joyful emotions.

・Association: Excitement, enthusiasm, adventure, vibrance, warmth, rejuvenation, encouragement, social, confidence, overbearing, dependent, inexpensive.
・Reactions: Increases appetite, socialization, contentment, and oxygen to the brain. Enhances assurance, happiness, confidence, understanding, and senses of activity.

Subconscious Meaning of the Color Yellow

The eye-catching yellow is the brightest color of the visible spectrum. Therefore, it is often linked to the sun, light, and enlightenment. However, overusing the attention-catching traits can hinder the positive psychological effects of color.

・Association: Optimism, clarity, energy, enlightenment, joy, intelligence, analytical thinking, creativity, critical, impatient, impulsive, pessimism, jealousy, cowardice, and deception.
・Reactions: Increases mental activity, muscle energy, and confidence. Stimulates the nervous system and memory. Enhances communication, vitality, and vision.

Subconscious Meaning of the Color Green

Green is the color we usually see most in nature representing life, renewal, and growth. Furthermore, in color psychology, it is the most restful color for our eyes to view. Moreover, color therapy frequently utilizes green for its soothing psychological effects in subconscious color associations. Utilizing green in your home interior can help you feel relaxed and refreshed when you come home.

・Association: Growth, renewal, balance, calmness, harmony, compassion, hope, fertility, freshness, environment, eco-conscious, health, money, finances, banking, ambition, greed, and mold.
・Reactions: Enhances vision, stability, endurance, relaxation, and youthfulness. Alleviates anxiety, depression, and nervousness.

Subconscious Meaning of the Color Blue

Blue is the color of the sky and ocean – the open space in our natural environment where we find tranquility to reduce stress. It is also a popular color choice for corporate logos, suits, and uniforms, such as police outfits. This is because the psychological effects of the color blue evoke images of trust, safety, and calming authority. In color psychology, blue makes it easier to pursue mentally strenuous endeavors and can be helpful when studying.

・Association: Trust, dependability, stability, confidence, intelligence, sincerity, freedom, tranquility, intuition, imagination, coolness, sensitivity, melancholy, negativity, and sadness.
・Reactions: Enhances thought, concentration, rest, and stimulates chemicals that are calming. Slows metabolism, cools temperature, and balances self-expression. Suppresses appetite.

Subconscious Meaning of the Color Purple

Purple has a mix of red and blue. Therefore, the subconscious color meaning and effects of this color hold both cooling and warming properties, depending on its use. In nature, purple is a rare color to see and is therefore considered a sacred and precious color in flowers. Moreover, purple has commonly symbolized royalty throughout history around the world. In color psychology, it is believed that the scarcity of purple in nature contributed to this association.

・Association: Luxury, royalty, power, nobility, dignity, devotion, independence, wisdom, creativity, ambition, peace, pride, feminine, spirituality, sacred, magic mystery, sadness, and frustration.
・ Reactions: Calms the subconscious mind and nerves. Enhances imagination, creativity, and feelings of spirituality. Increases nurturing tendencies and sensitivity.

Subconscious Meaning of the Color White

Some may say that white is technically not a true color. Regardless, it’s a shade that contributes to all values of color as brightness. It is also important in color psychology, with significant psychological effects. White is still as significant to include on this list because it gives us a feeling that speaks to our subconscious mind, just like all other colors do.

・Association: Purity, innocence, light, heaven, faith, brilliance, neutrality, simplicity, cleanliness, new beginnings, possibility, softness, emptiness, isolation, absence, boredom, sterility, and indecision.
・Reactions: Increases mental clarity, senses of sophistication, fresh beginnings, and cleanliness. Encourages purification of thoughts and actions. White can affect perceptions of aggression in competitive sports and cause headaches when the white is extremely bright.

Subconscious Meaning of the Color Black

Black, like white, is considered a shade more than a color and adds depth values to all colors. Although frequently associated with darkness, the psychological effects of the color black has both positive and negative associations in color psychology.

・Association: Power, authority, formality, seriousness, sophistication, seduction, withheld, mysteriousness, darkness, fear, death, evil, aggression, pessimism, depression, rebellion, endings, and beginnings.
・Reactions: Enhances feelings of inconspicuousness, power, potential, possibility, emptiness, gloom, and or aggression. Slimming effect on visual perception. Influences perceived attractiveness and fashionability.

Personal Subconscious Color Associations

The meaning and reaction to colors on this color psychology list are subjective to cultural backgrounds and personal experiences. In addition, the subconscious meanings of color can have both positive or negative implications on our psychology, depending on the context of delivery. Also, keep in mind that our understanding of color varies widely depending on how we’ve seen the color being used in our environment.

Let me give a few examples of how this applies. For example, in Western cultures, white is worn at weddings as a sign of purity. However, in some Eastern cultures, white is worn to funerals. In other words, these two occasions evoke a completely different response to the color white, depending on which meaning you are more accustomed to. The subconscious meaning of the color red can be negative and threatening to our minds when worn by an opponent in a competitive setting. On the other hand, if a person of potential interest wears red, it becomes a positive symbol of attractiveness. If you put a lot of yellow in your children’s room because you want to spark creativity and joy for them, beware; studies show that intense use of yellow can actually cause babies to cry more.

What Subconscious Meaning Does Each Color Have for You?

You may think, “Hm, these findings make the use of color more complex and difficult”. But don’t overthink it. The most important thing is to analyze how these colors make you feel and what they mean to you personally. As a fun activity, and to better understand your own relationship with color, try figuring out your subconscious color associations with friends. You’d be surprised at how much color psychology can tell you about your personal subconscious color associations and the psychological effects of each color.

Intentional Use of Color Psychology

A simple color we choose may say a lot about how we associate that color in the subconscious mind. In other words, the psychological effects of color are all around us, affecting our everyday lives in subtle ways. If we learn what feelings each color evokes and how it can change our behavior, then we can use this to our advantage. For example, you could change the color scheme within your home to promote better relaxation or coordinate an event with accent colors that hint at a fun and social atmosphere. Otherwise, you could put a new colorful object on your desk for better concentration, or change the colors of your wardrobe. Regardless of execution, a simple color swap can be the one-degree change in trajectory that pushes you towards your next goal.

Looking to improve your mental health? Try the SELF MIND app FREE for 1 week!
If you’re looking for more tips on how to care for your mental health, check out some of our past blog posts!

References:

Bourn, J. (2011). Color Meaning Archives. Retrieved June 26, 2020, from https://www.bourncreative.com/tag/color-meaning/

Color Psychology – The Ultimate Guide to Color Meanings. (2019, November 17). Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://www.colorpsychology.org/

de Craen, A. J. M., Roos, P. J., de Vries, A. L., & Kleijnen, J. (1996). Effect of colour of drugs: systematic review of perceived effect of drugs and of their effectiveness. BMJ, 313(7072), 1624–1626. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.313.7072.1624

Elliot, A. J., & Maier, M. A. (2014). Color Psychology: Effects of Perceiving Color on Psychological Functioning in Humans. Annual Review of Psychology, 65(1), 95–120. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115035

Renk Etkisi | The Effect of Color | The Effects of Colors on Children. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2020, from http://renketkisi.com/en/the-effects-of-colors-on-children.html

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