The Power of Green to Grow Happiness and Health
The color green. Evoking images of lush landscapes, rebirth and money, it has only started recently to be associated with increased health and happiness. It’s integration into everything from spas to restaurants to homes is a welcome addition to the common neutrals of white, black and griege. Further, the human eye can see more greens in the world than any other color, which is fortunate given its power to enhance one’s well-being. [1]
According to NatureQuant, nature exposure provides profound mental and physical health improvements: “Humanity is undergoing an unprecedented shift from a largely natural, outdoor life to existence within built, urban environments - largely in front of screens. Our new environment is drastically different from our surroundings for 99% of human history As a result, humans are increasingly disconnected from nature. The impact of this fundamental change in lifestyle is not entirely clear, but illness and all-cause mortality has been linked to time spent indoors.” [2] Research has shown that exposure to nature for ten minutes prior to experiencing a mental stressor has been shown to stimulate heart rate variability and parasympathetic activity (i.e., regulation of internal organs and glands that support digestion and other activities that occur when the body is at rest), while viewing a forest scene for 20 minutes after a mental stressor has shown to return cerebral blood flow and brain activity to a relaxed state. [3] It is clear, exposure to nature and the color green itself helps support physical and mental health, especially within our indoor existence, but what about happiness itself?
According to the London Image Institute, the color green evokes a feeling of hopefulness, responsibility, wealth, forgiveness, comfort and energy; all of which can be characteristics of someone who is optimistic. It is seen as restful and secure, symbolizing harmony, healing, and stability. It also represents security and self-reliance. Darker greens relate to money, wealth and prestige, while lighter greens relate to rebirth, growth, and freshness. [3] But as we know, wearing too much green can evoke over-excitement and lay substance to the saying “green with envy.”
Brands have even tapped into the power of green to enhance their image and health of their bottom line. In 2018 Cadillac created G7 Green in support of its endeavor to plant over 205,441 trees along the G7 highway in Inner Mongolia, using green power to protect the most magnificent highway in China. As a setup to this work, the Pantone Color Institute worked with Cadillac to provide the color psychology associated with the green color of the populus bud of the G7 highway in support of the Cadillac G7 Environmental Protection Project. Selecting a single color to represent a social issue helped draw attention and create a powerful association with that color, so much so, that the color tied together with the movement became symbolic of the special cause.[1]
In 2023, Kate Spade honored its heritage and redefined their iconic green color for the modern market by partnering with the Pantone Color Institute™ (PCI) to standardize kate spade green as its signature shade and brand color. PCI developed kate spade new york’s new green shade to stay true to its original green tone while embedding a new level of vibrancy for digital environments to optimize the brand’s playful aesthetics which have earned it a reputation as a brand that represents optimism, curiosity, and renewal — all characteristics intrinsically tied to the color green. [1]
kate spade green is a refreshing green tone that awakens our senses and encourages us to explore, experiment, and express our own unique identity. A lush green tone connected with newness, youth, and growth, kate spade green represents the spirit of promise and possibilities. Infused with the joy and optimism of a sunny yellow, kate spade green enlightens us, igniting our curiosity and inspiring us to see the world in new ways.
— Kristen Naiman, Senior Vice President of Concept and Strategy at kate spade new York [1]
While there are countless other examples of brands that have utilized green in their brand palette, the ability to infuse through nature and live plants is a newer concept worth considering across all brand touchpoints where applicable because as research has shown, it will not only make you feel better, but it may just make you healthier as well.
Conclusion
So go ahead, utilize green in paint schemes for your interior design. Integrate foliage whose green offers depth and vibrancy in commercial spaces. Consider uniforms and brand assets that will align your brand and people to feelings of hope and betterment. But no matter where you use green, seek out balance to not overpower spaces, but with enough to create warmth and feelings of optimism. Whether you have a green thumb or not, green should be embraced and given the chance to live in the places and spaces you call work, home and play because your healthy and happiness will grow from it.
References
1. Pantone. www.pantone.com
2. Nature Quant
3. Brown, Barton & Gladwell, 2013; Tsunetsugu & miyazaki, 2005
4. London Image Institute. https://londonimageinstitute.com/green-color-psychology/