Green is a creative color!
Color theory takes a deep dive into the science and art of color and the impact it has on us. Research suggests colors evoke specific psychological reactions; different colors can help us go through the whole emotional spectrum, from calm or apathetic, to excited and inspired. Theorists look at how humans perceive color and the effects of how colors mix, match or contrast with each other. Color theory also involves the messages colors communicate; and the methods used to replicate color.
Today, we're talking about the best color there is: GREEN!
For many, the color green bears a strong connection to nature and conjures images of lush grasses and trees. Scientists are beginning to find solid evidence that being in nature has a profound impact on our brains and our behavior. With this knowledge, we can curate our own environments to better help ourselves reduce anxiety and stress and increase our attention spans and creativity.
Why bother with creativity?
When we talk about creativity, we're most likely picturing an artist of some kind, inspecting their canvas or considering their next sculpture. There's way more to it than that! Creativity helps us solve all kinds of tasks and hurdles we encounter every day, especially in the office. Creativity inspires employees to work with each other and inspires collaboration. Employees that work in an environment that caters to their creativity have more opportunities to seek new information, knowledge, and ways to complete tasks.
Since many group the color green with the idea of natural growth, researchers at the University of Munich thought that perhaps green could be associated with mental or psychological growth as well. This includes expansiveness, open-mindedness, and creativity. While red and blue are both bold colors that have had lots of research, not too much has been done about the color green. In their study, the researchers exposed participants to a green rectangle at the beginning of the experiment, and then asked the subjects to complete a series of puzzles. They found that just looking at the color green was enough to significantly increase participants’ creativity.
Our brains associate the color green with growth and development. Just thinking about the color has been shown to spur our desire for self-improvement and mastering tasks. A workplace with plants reduces negative feelings, anxiety, and boosts energy and creativity. Something as simple as adding a few new plants can be the small change a business needs to reinvigorate their employees.
What's so great about GREEN?
“People have been discussing their profound experiences in nature for the last several 100 years,” says researcher David Strayer, of the University of Utah. “Now we are seeing changes in the brain and changes in the body that suggest we are physically and mentally healthier when we are interacting with nature.”
In a 2012 study, Strayer and his colleagues brought hikers on a four-day backpacking trip. The goal was to prove that interacting with nature helps people solve more puzzles requiring creativity when compared to a control group of people who have not yet taken the trip. The group that traveled performed 47% better than the group that had not yet gone!
Researchers interviewed over 440 Amazon employees in both India and the United States about their office environments. Those employees whose offices included natural elements like indoor plants felt greater job satisfaction and more commitment to the organization than those whose offices were leaner. When we interact with nature, our brains go into a meditative and open state of mind known as the "default brain network". This mindset is thought to play an important role in creativity: as a person idles and their mind drifts, the default brain network may help increase the kind of ideas that help solve problems.
Considering adding some plants to the workplace but don't know where to start? Our plant experts are ready to help you find the perfect plant for your space! Schedule your free consultation today!
SOURCE:
Green in Color Psychology: What Does the Color Green Mean?
Looking At the Color Green Enhances Creativity
Green and Creativity | Effect of Certain Colors on Creativity
How Plants Affect Your Mood, Spark Creativity and Improve Focus
How Nature Can Make You Kinder, Happier, and More…
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