Looking at the garden photos taken on a regular basis shows me that I’m drawn to GREEN – formal English 
and Italian gardens, Japanese gardens, even arrangements with lots of greenery or different shades of green, draws me in -makes me feel something, somehow, and it’s good! Do you feel that way too?
If you do, don’t or are undecided – you’re probably reading this because life is busy, and who doesn’t need to slow down, recharge and relax. We’re all wired so differently – and sometimes we crave peace and relaxation, other times lots of stimulation.
But to get peace and relaxation… green is it – green gardens relax. One main reason why? Green is truly easy on the eye. According to Human Sense Perception: The Color Green in Sukiya Living Magazine:
Green is the most restful color to the eye because there isn’t any retinal adjustment necessary to focus on it.
Green is also in the middle of the color spectrum and when the garden is predominantly green, “it puts the body in a calm healing state through the brain’s hypothalmic pathways.” And that spells r e l a x a t i o n. For those of us not relaxed enough and needing a clear definition of this word, the Oxford dictionary says that relaxation is when the mind and body is free from anxiety and tension. See Wikepedia for relaxations psychological effects.
If you’re a parent, you may be interested in this article in Psychology Today. It’s based on a 2001 study:“Coping with ADD: The Surprising Connection to Green Play Settings,” by Taylor, Kuo & Sullivan. In a nutshell what the study found, was that children with ADD had improved attention after playing in green settings. In even greener settings, better attention.
If you’re one of those people who likes stimulation, you might want to befriend warm and hot colors. A good adrenaline rush can be had in your garden, when you see the stimulating reds, oranges and yellows in flowers or foliage. The warm colors stimulate…
In short, getting a daily dose of a green garden can do you and your health wonders. Not just in keeping your eyes in a meditative state, but in promoting perfect balance within your psychological makeup.
Green is believed to evoke a state of positive mental attitude, promote peaceful mental reflections, and being the color of natural foliage, makes us feel stable and secure.
Green, a calming color, can help you relax and breathe slowly and more deeply, all of which can help slow the production of stress hormones according to the Society of American Florists. Whereas the opposite, a floral pick-me-up if you will, would be the likes of classic red roses, sunflowers and orange daisies. These awaken the senses and increase energy through their vibrant colors and potent aromas.
So remember, if things have been too hectic, and you need to slow down and relax, go green!
Happy relaxing!
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