Despite it still being pretty cold and the fact that my thermals are never too far away, it does feel a little bit like Spring has started breathing nearby. Just a little, but enough to know that it’s on its way. I had my first 2025 sightings of snowdrops this week. They were poking their little heads up around some trees in Nether Edge. Seeing them brightened an otherwise chilly busy work day.
I know January and February can be hard for a lot of people – with the post Christmas slump, the short days and cold weather to contend with. Because of this, I think it’s really important to notice and acknowledge these little bits of light in our day. Seeing the snowdrops was such a small (and free) thing but the image has remained in my mind for several days after. This led to thoughts of Spring, which weirdly makes me feel generally warmer!
These little snowdrops inspired this month’s Calmly Create session. This month, the wellbeing focus is on how flowers make us happier. This has been proven in various studies. Research has shown that having a bunch of beautiful flowers around can trigger happy emotions and help to lighten feelings of depression and anxiety.
Lowri Dowthwaite, a lecturer in psychological interventions at the University of Central Lancashire, said:
“When we’re stressed we release something called cortisol this is the stress hormone but actually engaging with flowers, smelling flowers and being mindful with flowers can actually reduce the levels of cortisol and help you feel more relaxed. Flowers are known to stimulate several chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin in our brains. These are the ‘happy’ chemicals. And whenever we see or receive some pretty flowers our brain instantly recognises that as a good, rewarding thing. Basically, it’s almost impossible to feel sad when looking at some beautiful bouquets!”*
To link nicely with this topic we will be painting little wooden flower windchimes in the session this month. Hanging a colourful wind chime on a tree, yet to bloom will hopefully help to build the anticipation of Spring’s arrival and help to increase our levels of ‘happy chemicals’!
Happy Creating!
Ruth x x x
*Source: https://www.bloomandwild.com/the-blog/flowers-affect-the-brain
