Reduce pre-wedding nerves and stress

Interflora has teamed up with a host of experts to offer designed ways to help couples take some time out from busy schedules, everyday worries, and even social media, to just be in the now.
From meditation to gardening, Interflora has put together a whole bunch of fresh ideas to promote everyday mindfulness by using the healing properties of flowers and nature. This can help by reducing stress, improving happiness and maybe even resulting in one less cup of coffee! All the advice appears exclusively on Interflora’s IGTV as a series of videos.

Speaking about the campaign, Helen Sharpe at Interflora, says, “Interflora’s ‘Mindfloral’ campaign has been crafted to make a difference to lives by focusing on how we can achieve a state of mindfulness. This is through being in the now, getting rid of those everyday distractions, and taking a little more me-time.
“Each video offers practical tips and techniques to help people to connect with their natural state of being and the world around them. From focusing on the rising and falling sensations as we breathe or the soft texture of soil whilst gardening, the videos encourage us to look at life a little differently, and to notice the reality in front of us.”

Here are some top tips from these experts:
Embrace the calming impact of house plants 
It’s no secret that plants have numerous health benefits and these are well-documented when it comes to the ones we eat. But just by having plants in a home they can help improve health? Certain indoor plants help to improve air quality, as well as helping blood pressure and heart rate. Plants also help to reduce stress and the act of tending to plants can be a perfect way to practice mindfulness. 

Gardening therapy 
This is a growing trend for improving well-being as nurturing plants are known to have a calming effect on minds and bodies. This is by being wholly absorbed in an activity, taking in the immediacy of the environment which can help us to remove ourselves from the frenetic noise of a fast-moving world. Going out and tending to plants is an effective way to be mindful while walking barefoot through a garden can be a special way to connect with nature and the earth.

The nutrition of nature
Food is a lot more than just what people eat to satisfy their appetite – health can be boosted and wellbeing by incorporating nature into diets. Micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are where a lot of antioxidants are found. Many of these can be found by foraging in nature and even in gardens. Take dandelions; the root is often used as a diuretic in tea, meanwhile dried rose petals can add a touch of sophistication to a summer BBQ by popping them in a glass of Prosecco. Or elderflower, the ultimate summer drinks mixer which is also very immune-supportive. 

Garden Yoga
Connecting the body and mind through yoga can help us experience being present in the moment. Being in the presence of ‘what is’ often means we’ll receive so much more from the experience of the moment and perhaps open to new possibilities and better see the beauty around. Practising yoga in nature is the perfect complement to this; consider using the grass rather than a mat to connect with the earth and the surroundings.
 
Flower arranging for mindfulness
Interflora conducted some research with SANE, a leading mental health charity, and found that Brits are stressed; with nearly a quarter of those surveyed admitting to feeling stressed more than once a day. People listed listening to the rain, getting into pyjamas after a long day and being in nature as things they find the most relaxing. But another well-known way to relax which is both simple and rewarding is flower arranging. Taking a few moments is important and blooms of choice can also help; calming blue and purple stems can alleviate stress and anxiety, and promote creativity. Lilac roses, purple freesia and purple lisianthus are all colours which can help with depression, calming the mind and soothing mental illness and nervous disorders. Meanwhile, lavender is known for reducing anxiety and stress and the calming eucalyptus stimulates the immune system and clarifies the mind.


Head to the Interflora Instagram TV Channel (@interflorauk) each Monday to see the latest Mindfloral tips, or for more information on the campaign visit: www.interflora.co.uk/blog/mindfloral