What's your favorite color? It's the question you always get asked in any "getting to know you" situation. And let's be honest: sometimes it can be tough to narrow down our fave when given a rainbow of options.
But I've got four reasons "green" should be your answer from this day forward. And three fun Green Challenges to help you fall in love with the color in a whole new way.
Your Eyes Love Green
Studies show that our eyes rest on the color green and see it most clearly, more than any other color in the rainbow. So even if your heart wants to be covered in blue, your feet want to wear red, or your lips want to wear pink, be sure to keep your eyes looking in the direction of something green. We guarantee your eyes will thank you for it by being less tired at the end of the day.
I'm taking the Green Challenge from Gardenary to have ONE GREEN THING on my plate at every meal today.
Green Challenge One
Plate up something green at every meal today (kale with your eggs, a fresh salad for lunch, or a sprig of parsley with dinner), and see if you don't feel happier.
Green is the Color of Calm
"You need to calm down" isn't just a Taylor Swift line. It's something we're all telling ourselves these days, right? The truth is, we all need to take a deep breath, slow down, and relax, and green is the color that can help make that happen. In fact, studies show that when we look at the color green, our heartbeat slows and our breathing relaxes. Sounds like the best way to calm down to me. Maybe the answer to Taylor's song is just building everyone a garden?
Green Challenge Two
If you're singing Taylor's song and knowing you really do need to calm down, take the Gardenary Green Challenge and look at something green for one minute out of every 60 (and maybe listen to her song while you're doing it).
Try it and see if green doesn't make you calm down way faster than singing that song ever could.
Green Makes Everything Else Look Better
The smart scientists say that we humans are "trichromats," meaning we see three main colors: blue, green, and red. And because green is the color right at the center of the color spectrum, it serves as the perfect background to help us see the rest of the world more clearly. So as you look at the color green, you can suddenly see the rest of the colors in a whole new light. All this to say that if you want to like what you're looking at more than you currently do, put something green next to it. (And now we know why all the fancy magazines put plants right next to all their fancy products. We're thinking it's the product we're loving when our eyes are actually crushing on the plant next to it.)
Green Challenge Three
Grab a potted green plant and carry it with you wherever you go today. Keep it by your desk, place it on the counter as you cook... Don't let it leave your side, and see if the rest of the world doesn't look prettier right up next to your green plant. I'm thinking even dirty dishes might look cute if I have a rosemary next to it. Agree?
Green May Help You Live Longer
In a study comparing women who lived among the most green areas and the least green areas, the green women had a 12% lower death rate than those who had a lot less green in their lives. Of course, this is just the result from one study. But it makes sense, doesn't it? With happier eyes, a calmer heart, and more time around beautiful things, who wouldn't want to keep living?
Fun facts, right?
Now we know why there's some deep desire in all of us to become the "Plant Lady" or to add the title "gardener" to our bio. Our eyes are craving more of the color green, so let's give it to them, okay?
Take one of the Gardenary Green Challenges this week, and tell us all about it. Tag @gardenaryco on Instagram or Facebook, and keep us posted on whether or not you're convinced that green should become everyone's new favorite color.
Take Our Green Thumb Quiz
Green isn't just for master gardeners to enjoy—it's for all of us. And Gardenary believes that everyone has a green thumb and should definitely be surrounded by the most calming and beautiful green possible. Learn how to take your garden to the next level by taking our Green Thumb Quiz.