RESEARCH
The Theoretical and Therapeutic Paradigm of Botanical Arranging
Summary
This paper introduces a simple activity called Botanical Arranging (BA), which involves creating flower arrangements with cut flowers, leaves, and other natural materials. The idea behind BA is that working with these organic materials in a creative way can help people feel better emotionally, reduce stress, and connect with nature. This approach combines ideas from different types of therapy, including how art can express feelings, how our connection to nature is important for well-being, and how working with plants can have positive effects.
The paper suggests that just being around plants and flowers can be appealing and that the act of arranging them can be calming and uplifting. Like other therapies that use nature and art, BA focuses on how these activities can touch on our emotions, minds, and even our spiritual side.
The process of BA involves three main steps: first, getting familiar with the idea and the materials; second, actually creating the flower arrangement; and third, looking at the finished arrangement to see what it might mean or represent. A facilitator guides this process by encouraging the person to think about their arrangement and how it makes them feel. The paper notes that people often feel drawn to flowers and that even simple interactions like touching and smelling them can bring pleasure. Because BA is easy to do in different places and with readily available materials, it has the potential to help people in various settings, such as senior centers, hospitals, and mental health clinics, by improving their mood and reducing stress.
