Color psychology suggests that different colors can evoke psychological reactions. For example, color is often thought to have an impact on moods and emotions. Sometimes these reactions are related to the intensity of a color, while in other cases they are the product of experience and cultural influences.

How does the color green make you feel? For many people, it has strong associations with nature and immediately brings to mind the lush green of grass, trees, and forests. Perhaps because green is so heavily associated with nature, it is often described as a refreshing and tranquil color.

"Green, which is Nature's colour, is restful, soothing, cheerful, and health-giving." - Paul Brunton

The Color Psychology of Green

Green is a cool color that symbolizes nature and the natural world. Perhaps because of its strong associations with nature, green is often thought to represent tranquility, good luck, health, and jealousy.

Researchers have also found that green can improve reading ability. Some students may find that laying a transparent sheet of green paper over reading material increases reading speed and comprehension.

Green has long been a symbol of fertility and was once the preferred color choice for wedding gowns in the 15th-century. Even today, green M & M's (an American chocolate candy) are said to send a sexual message.

Green is often used in decorating for its calming effect. For example, guests waiting to appear on television programs often wait in a “green room” to relax.

Jessica BaronFormer Contributor

This year, the sci-fi masterpiece The Matrix turns 20 years old.

Written and directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers) and produced by Joel Silver, the film was released on March 31, 1999, grossing over $460 million worldwide. It won 4 Academy Awards (as well as BAFTA and Saturn awards) and is a staple on any sci-fi “greatest hits list.” It also secured its place as a classic American film when it was added to the National Film Registry in 2012 for permanent preservation.

While the special effects may no longer impress us, what really stands out about the film after 20 years is the lingering suspicion that we’re being controlled by the technology we created. And, perhaps more frightening, that most of us would prefer to live in blissful ignorance rather than face the truth of living in a world where we have very little free will.

Keanu Reeves and Hugo Weaving face each other in a scene from Andy and Larry Wachowski's 1999 movie... [+]

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This raises the question: did we take the blue pill?