You probably spotted many people wearing green on Monday in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, but green is a popular color all year round because it tends to spark positive emotions.
As one psychologist explains, green appeals to our natural instincts.
Green means go, but it can also trigger lots of other feelings and emotions.
“Studies on the psychology of the color green indicate that it tends to trigger a sense of calmness and relaxation. This is because green is the dominant color in nature,” said Cleveland Clinic Psychologist Dr. Susan Albers.
Albers says simply being around the color green can have benefits. Spending time in nature can evoke tranquility, renewal, and a connection to the earth.
Green can also present balance and harmony. It’s also the color of luck and is often associated with money and prosperity.
Along with impacting how we feel, Albers says colors can influence what we buy.
For example, there’s a reason why we may gravitate towards green items at the grocery store.
“Because green has such a positive association and is often linked with health, manufacturers, advertisers use green as a way to signal that products may be healthier in nature,” Albers said.
Green can also symbolize growth or new beginnings, making it an appealing color for many businesses.
Green isn’t all positive, as Albers notes that it’s also tied to jealousy, as in the phrase “Green with envy.”
And if someone is green, they’re either inexperienced or perhaps not feeling well.
