Have you ever wondered why certain colors make you feel happy or calm, while others make you feel anxious or stressed? The colours around us have a significant impact on our overall wellbeing. Studies have shown that colors can affect our mood, emotions, and even our productivity.
Because of this, it is useful to explore how colour and wellbeing work together and what we can do to use it to our advantage.
PSYCHOLOGY & COLOUR: inside the colour brain
I am sure you've heard how brands will use certain colours to demonstrate the type of company they are. How about that well known burger place that use red and yellow.... Yep those big yellow arches are in yellow because a) yellow triggers feelings of happiness and friendless and b) yellow is the most visible colour in daylight. How about the red used by McDonalds? Red stimulates appetite, hunger and is very attention grabbing.
Our emotions influence our behaviour, so its no surprise that you see the yellow and red combo of the McDonald's fast food chain and suddenly fancy some salty fries....
Whilst everything around us is using colour to influence our decisions, making us inclined to make one purchase over another, what are responses are connect to certain colours?
Blue: Blue is known to promote calmness, relaxation, and lower blood pressure. It's often associated with water and the sky, which can create a sense of tranquility.
Green: Green is associated with nature and growth, which can create a sense of balance and harmony. It's known to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Yellow: Yellow is associated with happiness, joy, and optimism. It's known to stimulate the brain and increase energy levels.
Red: Red is associated with passion, excitement, and sometimes anger. It can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can create a sense of urgency.
Purple: Purple is associated with luxury, creativity, and spirituality. It's known to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Orange: Orange evokes feelings of comfort like food, warmth and shelter. It's known to stimulate excitement, energy and fun. It's also used to draw attention, as we see it used in traffic signals and attention grabbing buttons.
USING COLOUR TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
I've always been drawn to certain colours. To the point where I have consciously not buy any clothes in those colours because otherwise I'd be dressed in head to toe shades of green. Which I prefer to only do on those days that I need to dress up as a plant ;)
But how can we use colour to improve our wellbeing and mental health? Whilst it is personal journey of understanding your colours and how you want the environments around you to feel, here's some tips to consider.
#1 Calming colours: using calming colours in spaces where you want to feel rest, relaxation. Colours that can help induces these feelings are blues, greens, and some soft neutrals.
#2 Add fresh flowers, plants or a bowl of fresh fruit. The greens from the plants will make you feel closer to nature. The flowers or fresh fruit can introduce pops of colour whilst also communicating growth, vibrancy and life to your brain.
#3 Add colours that your are drawn towards and enjoy looking at. Introduce these into artwork, cushions, a rug, or just simply a nice mug for you to use each day.
#4 Take time to discover your own psychology, culture and history in connection to how colours make you feel. It's a personal journey.
#5 Use colour as a way to express yourself. It doesn't just have an impact on our emotions but it can be a way to communicate how we are feeling and to explore our creativity.
Color has a profound impact on our overall wellbeing. By understanding how different colors affect us, we can use color to improve our mental health and create a more balanced life. Whether it's through surrounding ourselves with calming colors or wearing a bright outfit, we can all use color to boost our mood and promote a sense of wellbeing.
Stay colourful and well x