Colors are a great tool for personal development and are good for your mental health. They can boost your work efficiency and give you more peace of mind. Each color has a different value, and you should become familiar with which colors work together to make you feel your best. Most of us associate certain colors with happy memories - a definite plus!
Rainbow of Warm and Cool Colors
According to an article in Psychology Today color can invoke an emotional response. What that means is you can steer your mood or create a certain room ambiance in terms of color selection. Have you heard of warm or cool colors? Psychology classifies colors as being “warm” (reds and oranges) and “cool” (blues and greens). They also explain that humans are drawn to warm colors, such as reds and oranges. For example, warm colors can be used to draw people’s attention toward a particular section of a large space. In contrast, we see designers all the time use light colors in smallish rooms to make the space appear larger.
Here are more in-depth details about popular primary colors and their effects.
Blue
Blue is a color with a calming effect on the human mind. It increases mood, confidence, and energy levels, and is also helpful in promoting a healthy liver. It also boosts creativity. The psychological effects of color are influenced by the wavelengths in which each color affects the brain. Blue, for example, is often associated with peace and tranquility, while red tends to cause anger. Hence, it's important to pay attention to how a certain color makes you feel and take into consideration any influences that may have affected your feelings.
Several studies have proven that blue has positive effects on mental health. In addition to relaxing the mind, it lowers blood pressure and helps reduce stress. In addition, blue enhances creativity, memory, and alertness. It may even improve the mood of people who are suffering from depression. Moreover, it enhances spirituality and peace of mind. In addition, it's the most preferred color among men.
Another study has shown that blue makes you feel more confident and calm. People who work in intellectual environments benefit from blue environments. They are more likely to be focused and productive. While blue may be calming, vibrant colors can also enhance your mood. People all over the world have a fondness for blue. Blue is also associated with water, and humans have long associated it with healing.
The hue, saturation, and brightness of colors affect our mood. The brightest, saturated colors can induce the strongest emotional reaction. Researchers have also linked different colors with specific mental states, including depression and anxiety. The practice of "color therapy," or chromotherapy, combines color knowledge and psychology to promote mental health. The concept behind color therapy is that every color has its own unique wavelength and vibration, and these wavelengths can influence our emotions.
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Red
Bold and eye-catching red. People seeing others in front of red backgrounds may find those individuals more attractive than when they see them silhouetted against say, a lighter-colored background. Red can be perceived as a burst of strength. Great idea for a powerful accent wall or gym areas, etc. Seeing red has been linked to impaired analytical reasoning. Therefore, likely a bad option for offices, where we need staff to have an optimal environment for innovative thinking and problem-solving.
Indigo
The color indigo is associated with intuition and imagination, and it can boost mental health. It can also help reduce stress and increase self-awareness. It can also enhance extrasensory perception and help us develop creative thinking. The color is also calming to the respiratory system, and it can reduce swelling and bleeding. It can also tone the skin.
Indigo is also a good choice for meditation since it promotes deep concentration, which can help you reach deeper levels of consciousness. This color is associated with the New Age, which relies on intuition to help people achieve their goals. The hue is a combination of violet and blue and is neutral in nature. However, some people associate it with separateness.
The color indigo is also said to promote healing, which can benefit the mind, body, and spirit. When you see the color in meditation, you can visualize healing light in your mind. Try taking a deep breath and picturing an indigo ray of light. The colors can be beneficial for people with headaches, vision issues, or sleep disorders.
Yellow
Yellow is one of the most uplifting colors for many people. Psychologists and designers have studied its effect on people. It can evoke a wide variety of psychological responses, some universal and some cultural. However, some colors can affect different people in different ways. Yellow may boost your mood more than others, depending on the way you view the color.
This warm, sunny color is associated with mental clarity and intelligence. It also stimulates creativity. It has a calming effect on the nervous and digestive systems and boosts metabolism. However, yellow is not without its downsides. It reflects high amounts of light, so it may affect vision. If you use too much yellow in your office or at home, it can lead to eye strain.
Yellow is also a mood booster, especially for entrepreneurs and innovators. It can stimulate creativity, which can make you more optimistic. It also creates a soothing effect, which may be beneficial for people who are unsure of their future. Green is another color that promotes mental health, as it strikes the right balance between primary colors and creates a sense of calm. Green is also beneficial to people who meditate.
Yellow is an eye-catching color, but should be used in moderation in advertisements. It is a happy color, and people who drive yellow cars are often happier. This is because people like to be noticed, and yellow helps people to be seen. Yellow is also a great color for your home, and you can enhance your mood with yellow accessories and accents.
Orange is another color that can increase your energy. It can also increase productivity. This color is a combination of physical red and emotional yellow and is associated with happiness and determination. It is possible to overdo it, though.
Turquoise
Turquoise can be a soothing color that restores the spirit, particularly during times of stress and loneliness. It also encourages creativity, calms the nerves, and increases sensitivity. Turquoise also aids in the development of clear thought, clearer decisions, and increased self-esteem. It is also a good choice for those who wish to increase their spirituality or develop empathy.
Turquoise is known as the stone of truth. During a presentation, you could leverage turquoise to have your audience see you as speaking more truthfully and openly. It also reduces social anxiety and improves understanding in the world. Turquoise comes in a variety of shades and each one offers a different benefit. Light blue turquoise is the most optimistic shade and is supposed to bring inner harmony and peace to its user. Green turquoise, on the other hand, is said to help people overcome panic attacks and anxiety by allowing them to see things from a different perspective.
Orange
Here’s something you may not have known. The antioxidants found in oranges may protect mental health. A 2018 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that a higher flavonoid intake is linked to lower risk of depression and weight gain. Another study published in the journal Current Development in Nutrition suggests that flavonoids from citrus peels may also prevent the growth of cancer cells by supporting apoptosis.
Neutral colors
Colors that boost mental health are warm-toned and neutral. While red and blue can provoke feelings of sadness and anger, neutral colors like brown and gray can help people feel relaxed and comfortable. In addition, they also increase sensitivity and enhance creativity. However, there are a few caveats when choosing colors.
Although there is no definitive link between color and mood, it is known to improve the perception of those who are around it. Neutral colors boost mental health by enhancing a person's perception of color. They help people feel more relaxed and help them sleep better. Using shades of yellow that are less saturated also helps to improve mood. It's also a great choice for sunny rooms, as yellow can intensify the effect of sunlight.
Purple
Purple colors are calming and reassuring to the mind. These hues are often found in flowers, such as purple anemones, and are known to boost your mood and creativity. Purple is also thought to increase your insight and creativity. It can help you focus on your goals and keep you calm.
Purple can also boost your spirituality and mental clarity. Purple has been associated with royalty and prosperity. It promotes creativity and memory recall, and can improve alertness and focus. It can be especially beneficial for those who are feeling low or depressed. Purple light bulbs can be placed in your bedroom to help boost your mood and energy. Blue is also a soothing, comforting color. Studies have shown that it can improve people's feelings of trust and serenity. It may help you cope with problems.
Color and Undertone
Undertone in this context is simply what colors may look best on you. We mention it here because it may be worth you knowing this. Looking in the mirror and liking what you see before a much-anticipated date, a coveted interview, or an important presentation is key. Stack the odds in your favor and learn to work with your undertone by using complementary colors.
We hope that you found this information helpful. It offers an interesting perspective on how color can affect our daily lives. Reflect on how you can use color to enhance your mental well-being. Additionally, play with color in your home, work, or business.
Drop a comment below: What do you do to build up your confidence before a workshop or public speaking event?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously receiving back the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder from the TL group. A super win-win!
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