The season of record breaking humidity is upon those of us living in the UAE & GCC regions, which means taking precautions to protect both our physical and mental wellbeing. Outside of observing safety precautions including drinking and carrying water, avoiding direct sunlight etc, as a Wellness Founder, Writer and Advocate, my mind drifted to what we can control and how we manage our wellbeing during the summer months.
Its no surprise that a large and fortunate majority exit the region during the sweltering months – one of my connections actually sent me a message just this week stating “I only live in the UAE from September to May darling” to which I giggled, but what does one do when they are likely to stay in the region, what to do and how to manage your wellbeing?
I’m constantly asked, what the difference is between self-love and self-care, and my answer, despite being a student of life and wellness and being subject to growth and change, is always the same; self -love is part of a belief system and self-care to me is an action. With the latter in mind, I advise all residents and visitors within the region to take control of their wellbeing in a relatively affordable, inclusive and creative way, through blooms. Think about it… There’s a reason we instinctively reach for flowers when someone is unwell, when we are celebrating joy, or simply in need of a ‘pick-me-up’.
Science is finally catching up with what we’ve always known: flowers have always had the inclusive power to shift our mood, as well as soften our surroundings. Studies show that fresh flowers can increase feelings of happiness, reduce stress, and even enhance memory and concentration. And it’s not just the colours, though a soft pink peony or a bold sunflower does work its magic – even on me – it’s the scent, the shape, the simple act of pausing to notice something alive, beautiful especially when coexisting with you. Loneliness in the UAE and globally is no secret, but instead of looking through a screen for connection, try observing life around you, or better yet in your home.
In a world that constantly demands our attention, these quiet, natural moments can become small but powerful acts of self-care.
Here are five simple ways to Bring Wellness Indoors and To Brighten Your Space Using Flowers and Blooms.
Create a Morning Ritual
One very simple and inclusive way of managing my daily wellness is to have either a ritual or routine. It can change as long as it’s replaced with something more positive, practical or simply useful. Before you head out for the day, give yourself a moment of stillness. Something as simple as a single stem in a glass bottle can offer a moment of stillness and intention before the day begins. Because sometimes the deepest form of wellness is actually where you simply breathe and observe your environment.
Everyday Gratitude
Another practice of mine is to remind myself to do a daily ‘self-check in’ as it often sets my tone for the day when I make this into my daily ritual. What is a better gratitude practice than doing a check-in or observation of life itself? Here’s where the blooms come in: A flower on your windowsill or on a table, slowly unfurling as the day warms up, can become your reminder. It doesn’t have to say anything, and neither do you, it just asks you to notice. That quiet noticing, that pause to witness something alive and becoming, can be your most natural form of gratitude.
Embrace Seasonal Arrangements
To me, wellness is nature and connectedness. Instead of picking the most on-trend blooms, swap this for in season blooms with a quick bit of research and connect the natural rhythms outside with the vibes within your indoor space. As it’s Spring, think tulips, summer sunflowers, autumn marigolds, or winter amaryllis which can quite instantly refresh your space and your mood without needing a full interior overhaul.
Incorporate Edible or Aromatic Blooms
Inclusive wellness starts at home as does the natural cycle of life and without sounding too cliche, you are what you eat and you surround yourself with, so embody that in real time, by adding herbs and edible flowers (like basil, mint, or pansies) to your kitchen. Not only are they beautiful, but they also enhance your cooking and introduce calming, earthy scents to your home environment. My homehack is to repot your edible blooms in a jar or bowl with water to keep plants like basil alive for longer.
Everlasting Florals for Low Maintenance Living
If you’re anything like me – with the variations of life, I’m often short on time so a balanced and sustainable view of wellness is necessary. Sometimes my life doesn’t allow for attention to keeping my blooms alive, so I will opt for dried lavender, eucalyptus, or preserved roses to keep energy flowing indoors. These long-lasting blooms bring beauty into a space, without the pressure of regular upkeep, and their subtle scent lingers in the air like a whisper of nature.
Found these tips helpful for supplying indoor wellness during the UAE & GCC heatwave?
Well here’s some of my favourite bloom suppliers in the region and beyond!
Flowwow
Flowwow are my go-to for on-demand florals and they also provide a global service which brings Dubai flair to my loved-ones in the UK!
Matthiola Flowers
Matthiola Flowers are for timeless elegance. This easily-located brand across many Emaar locations in Dubai provides the most beautiful dried-flower and also false-bloom selections I have ever seen!
Flowers.ae
If luxe arrangements and impact are your thing, Flowers.ae should be your go-to! They’re known for their grand gestures and seamless delivery across the UAE, perfect for last-minute surprises to statement centrepieces that elevate any room – with boldness.
