Unity Blooms as the Election Looms: Commuters Nationwide Brought Together by Flowers

A recent study by the Society reaffirms that simply seeing or smelling flowers improves a person's mood and receiving a gift of flowers makes an occasion more memorable. These new findings back up previous research on flowers conducted by Rutgers University and Harvard University that scientifically demonstrate the positive impact flowers have on our emotional well being and that these benefits extend to those receiving and giving flowers.

According to the Generations of Flowers Study conducted in January 2016, 69 percent of people say the sight and smell of flowers improves their mood. A similar 2015 omnibus survey conducted by SAF showed when it comes to happiness, it's just as good to give flowers as it is to receive. In fact, 80 percent of Americans reported that receiving flowers makes them feel happy, while 88 percent reported that giving flowers makes them feel happy.

"Flowers have the power to make people happy, even in the midst of this year's divisive presidential campaign," said Jennifer Sparks, SAF Vice President of Marketing. Sparks noted survey findings that people report the best reason to get flowers is 'just because.' "That's why florists across the country are sharing happiness and spreading joy and goodwill—two bouquets at a time," she said. "We anticipate a lot of smiles today."

For more information on the benefits of flowers, visit www.AboutFlowers.com and www.AboutFlowersBlog.com. Follow the event happenings on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #PetalItForward.

For a list of Petal It Forward events by city/state, go here.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161018/430112  
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161018/430111

SOURCE Society of American Florists