I am drawn to the color green.

Like any good little nature lover.

I just looked over and not only am I wearing green, but my purse and laptop bags are green. Green is woven through my house in various decorations. My branding for this site and my freelance/fitness site have green in them, naturally.

Green, green, everywhere!

I was thinking about why I’m so drawn to the color and it led me to research about color therapy and green psychology.

 

Forest Bathing and Green Psychology

Green is associated with livelihood.

Perhaps that goes without saying because green = photosynthesis = life.

We are also encouraged to eat our greens in unlimited supply. Edible greens are both alive and life sustaining.

In fact, the chlorophyll that gives plants their green color converts sunlight into energy.

By ingesting greens, we get to partake of sunbeams and life energies.

That’s some glittery magic unicorn wands, if you think about it.

Makes a bowl of spinach sound much more exciting now too, doesn’t it?

 

Green signifies growth.

It also symbolizes wealth.

Green makes me think of a rich, pulsing spring forest brimming with life! That’s exactly what the color represents internally as well as externally.

Green is at the center of our planet and our hearts.

Jades and olives also elicits a charged yet calm and balanced energy.

Is that the epitome of forest bathing, or what?

That’s pretty much the goal of forest bathing for me and many others.

To feel energized yet grounded. To restore equilibrium.

 

Therapists use green in chromatic color therapy to deactivate nervous energy, stimulate depleted energy, and calm the soul.

Um, yes please!

Interior designers use natural shades of green and plant life to create a clean, relaxing home sanctuary.

Yes, and more!

Hospitals have long incorporated green into their color schemes. As William Ludlow put it “Our eyes were made to find rest and contentment in soft greens.”

Yes, yes, yes!

 

On the other hand…

A deficiency of green can cause irritability, fatigue, an unhealthy turning inward. 

So, go immerse yourself in green to treat your deficiency.

Here’s how:

Green Forest Bathing Exercise

Here’s a quick exercise to calm anxious energy and ground your wily thoughts.

 

{If you enjoy forest bathing exercises like this, grab your free forest bathing starter guide.}

 

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I hope you enjoyed this exploration of green psychology.

The next time you’re in the forest, pay attention to how alive the green makes the woods feel.

Such a friendly and inviting color.

 

 

From my green roots to yours,

~Jess

 

I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!