Physiological effects of viewing fresh red roses

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychophysiology
• Environmental Psychology

Background:

• The impact of natural stimuli on human well-being is a growing area of research.
• Understanding the physiological and psychological responses to visual stimuli like flowers can inform therapeutic and environmental design.
• Previous studies have explored the effects of nature on stress reduction, but specific investigations into rose viewing are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of viewing fresh roses on prefrontal cortex activity.
• To assess the impact of rose viewing on autonomic nervous system activity.
• To evaluate subjective psychological relaxation responses to rose stimuli.

Main Methods:

• A crossover design study involving 15 female university students.
• Near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy measured oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) in the prefrontal cortex.
• Heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate assessed autonomic nervous activity; subjective mood was evaluated using standardized questionnaires.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration in the right prefrontal cortex was observed.
• A marginally significant decrease in sympathetic nervous activity, indicated by HRV, was noted.
• Participants reported significant increases in feelings of comfort, relaxation, and naturalness, alongside improved mood states.

Conclusions:

• Visual stimulation with fresh roses effectively induces physiological relaxation, evidenced by changes in brain activity and autonomic nervous system markers.
• The study supports the notion that roses provide psychological benefits, enhancing mood and subjective feelings of relaxation.
• These findings suggest that incorporating floral elements can be a simple yet effective strategy for promoting well-being.