I am no miracle worker, but I can bring sunshine to the dreariest winter day. It’s not hard, really — I do it with the help of a simple flower.

I didn’t inherit my mother’s gardening talents, but she instilled in me an abiding appreciation for nature. Although I don’t have a yard full of flowers like she did, I still enjoy their benefits. Every week, when I’m shopping at the grocery store, I pick up a single cut bloom, usually a bold-colored gerbera daisy.

These perennials come in almost every shade of the rainbow.

When I take my purchase home, I set it in a bud vase made of cranberry glass, decorated with a lacelike pattern of gold leaf. Its strong color holds its own with even the brightest daisy. When the white light of the season pours in through my windows, the flower seems to ignite, beaming like a tiny piece of a brilliant autumn sunset and warming the entire room.

Research has documented the facts behind the feelings I’ve always had about my daisies. The mere presence of flowers can enhance happiness, self-esteem and a sense of well-being. They reduce stress and have even been linked with a healthy decrease in blood pressure and pulse rates.

How-to guide

To make the flowers and feelings last:

• Use sharp scissors or pruners to cut each flower stem at a steep angle.
• Place them in a container of tepid water mixed with flower food. Let the flowers soak for several hours or overnight.
• Re-cut flower stems and arrange the blossoms in a clean vase filled with fresh water. Keep an eye on the water level and refill as needed.
• After four or five days, rinse the vase, change the water and re-cut stems.