Cut flowers: all-natural, low-cost stress busters

Work deadlines, parenting struggles, family time pressures and relationship challenges — modern life is full of stress. The good news is there is an all-natural, relatively low-cost way to relieve stress and beautify your home at the same time — cut flowers.

Fresh flowers in the home decrease depression, frustration and anxiety, and boost feelings of compassion, enthusiasm and energy, according to a Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital "Flower Wellness" study commissioned by the Flower Promotion Organization. The study also found these positive feelings carry over into the workplace, even though the flowers are viewed at home.

Jayme Barrett, noted author and a leading authority on inspired living and personal fulfillment, uses colorful flower arrangements indoors to create feelings of joy and enthusiasm, to stimulate

action or to remember all the little blessings in life.

"We need and deserve homes where we feel happy and harmonious, and that allow us to disconnect from the hectic pace of the world outside," says Ms. Barrett. "Flowers are a wonderful way to ease the stress of everyday life and refocus our emotions more constructively."

Ms. Barrett offers the following tips for floral arrangements that foster specific mood-enhancing effects:

•New beginnings: A square, ceramic vase brings earthy energy inside. Fill it with orange colors complimented by white, including carnations, gerbera, spray roses, alstroemeria or Asiatic lilies. The colors stimulate joy, enthusiasm and excitement and characterize new opportunity and growth.

•Inspiration and motivation: Red colors in a tall arrangement show motivation, fame, courage and power. When accented with vibrant oranges and fuchsia colors in an upright, shiny vase, the style suggests enthusiasm and exuberance. Flowers that help promote inspiration include roses, callas, Asiatic lilies, snapdragons and hypericum.

•Gratitude: To evoke openness, cluster flowers in shades of pink, like ranunculus,

alstroemeria, tulips and stray

roses, in a glass container. Place the container on a nightstand, dresser or in the kitchen.

The Flower Promotion Organization also offers recipes for creative floral arrangements on its Web site, www.flowerpossibilities. com.