Flower arranging mental health benefits may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the activity, but there are lots of mood-boosting perks to making bouquets. “It’s a way of calming your body, thoughts, or emotions by shifting attention away from them to something more pleasant,” says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist. “A lot of different forms of creativity can help to ground you, and flower arranging is a full sensory experience that can fill your mind and leave less room for anxiety.”
In order to really reap these rewards, it’s important to allow yourself to become immersed in the process. Really examine the flowers, their textures and shapes. Touch them; smell them. Listen to the water running while you fill your vase—maybe even dabble in adding some edible floral options into the mix and try tasting them. The key is to recruit as many of your senses as possible, says Dr. Daramus. This will help keep your focus back to the task in front of you.