To Grow Happiness, Scientists Say, Send Flowers

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To Grow Happiness,Scientists Say, Send Flowers (NAPSA)—Sendingflowers to show love, caring, and concern—whether for Mother's Day,a birthday, an anniversary, or just because—is something people havedonefor a long time, and now science tells us there might be a biological reason why. “Flowers have immediate and longterm effects on emotional reactions, mood, social behaviors and even memory,’ note researchers at Rutgers University. “The simplepresentationofflowers, even single flower, will release a strong and immediate behaviorreflecting positive affect. It’s possible that the flowers— either through their visual or odorous qualities—haveeffects on brain chemistry.’ In fact, the researchers found that women whoreceive flowers report positive moodsas longasthree dayslater. Psychologists believe people have Whatever the reason why people such strong associations with beauenjoy them,if you're sending flowers, tiful bloomsthatflowers can boost makethe experience the very bestit can be. Here's how: + Choose delivery. You might be one’s senseofwell-being. tempted tograbsomecellophane-wrapped stemsfrom a grocery store or bodega, but that just can't compareto a professionally her aunt's funeral. He might be partial to beautifully-scentedvarieties, such as lilies, freesia, lavender, or hyacinth—or maybe flowers with strong fragrances little thrill of surprise that comes when fectly OK to ask how many stems of designed, packaged and hand-delivered bouquet from 1800flowers.com. Theres a delivery personarrives with a gorgeous display of blooms. + Plan ahead. Ordering online ahead of time will not only provide peace of mind, but it can save you moneyif youlet the florist make your triggerhis allergies. + Ask about the details. It’s per- each flowerwill go into an arrangement, or to find out whetherit'll be deliv- ered in a plain glass vase or a keepsake planter. You mightwantto request more flowers or a moreelegantcontainer. + Vase or no vase? Consider expert- flower delivery a few days before orafter ly-designed arrangementsin vases versus farm-fresh bouquets beautifully prea holiday. + Know their favorites. Delight sented in gift boxes. Ifyour loved oneis your loved onesbygiving them the kinds into floral designing, skip the vase and of flowers they prefer. (Andcall ahead save (when ordering online, do that to ensure yourflorist can include those byselecting “Shipped in gift box” or “Bouquet only”). varieties.) Different blooms can carry different associations based on personal experience. Perhaps pink roses bring Learn More Fora fullselection offloral designs back happy memories of her mother’s and other meaningfulgifts, check out rose garden, but orchids remind herof www. 1800flowers.com.