Flowers are a great way to let someone who is ill, or just feeling blue, know you're thinking of him, even if you can't visit him in person. They're not only a terrific way to brighten up a hospital room, but can ease the loneliness of recovering at home. They are a simple, sincere and unobtrusive way to lift spirits, bring a smile to a tired face or brighten up a room for someone who is under the weather. In fact, they might be just the trick to cheer someone up.

Ordering Tips

If you order flowers to be delivered to a hospital, it's helpful to have the following ready when you call your florist: the name of the hospital, the patient's name, room number (if possible) and when you want the flowers delivered. It is also good to know if the hospital has a policy regarding flowers. For instance, most urgent care and intensive care units do not allow flowers. Sometimes hospital rooms have certain display areas for flowers, but they must be a specified size. Your florist will know about the hospitals in your area.

Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about get well flowers.

Flowers Make Us Happier

According to recent behavioral research conducted at Rutgers University, the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed. "Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy," said Dr. Jeanette Haviland-Jones, lead researcher on the study. "Now, science shows that not only do flowers make us happier than we know, they have strong positive effects on our emotional well being."

Click here for more information on the Emotional Impact of Flowers study.