Due to the global pandemic, people are now facing great anxiety and stress. Facing the fear of the invisible coronavirus, people are spending more time working from home and using a remote system, avoiding eating out or getting together with others.

How are you relieving your stress? Some of you may be getting enough sleep, eating what you enjoy, spending time enjoying your hobby, etc.

According to a research 1, by spending 45 minutes doing a creative activity like drawing, about 75% of the people surveyed were able to reduce their cortisol, a hormone that reacts to stress.

In another research 2, in the Profile of Mood States [measurement], the “liveliness” category went way up for participants who had flowers in their room compared to participants without flowers in their room. Other factors like “confusion,” “fatigue,” “tension/anxiety,” “depression,” and “anger/hostility” were reduced.

Since we are in the midst of transforming to a new lifestyle, why not humbly include “beauty” in your lifestyle?

The MOA Health Science Foundation conducted research 3 among 22 adults of both men and women. It was a comparison of changes in the tightness of the shoulder muscle by viewing a flower arrangement made by the participant, made by others, or of a picture. Their shoulder tightness softened more as they viewed the flower arrangement they had made. It is thought that their parasympathetic nerve tension had relaxed. The Arts and Culture Program energizes both the mind and body.

Research 1 in 2016 on “Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making” by Associate Professor Girija Kaimal of Drexel University of the USA
Research 2 in 2012 on “Investigation Report on the Correct Comprehension on Flowers and its Dissemination Projects” by Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki of the Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences of the Nature Therapy Project at Chiba University
Research 3 in 2014 on “Healing Effects of Flowers” for the 6th annual Okada Health and Wellness Program Forum by Seiya Uchida, Researcher of the MOA Health Science Foundation