We tend to overlook the influence that colour can have on our moods. We might be aware of the idea, but we often don’t use it to full advantage.
It’s common to use language to describe this understanding, referring to the colours of power red, cool blue, money green, and others. Just think of the image of golfer Tiger Woods on Sundays, always intentionally wearing a red shirt and black pants as he succeeded on the course multiple times.
Research shows that colour can affect our moods, behaviour, and stress levels. Different colours tend to mean similar things for many people. The colour blue, for example, is calming and associated with clear skies, which means good weather.
Colours can actually affect blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Not only does it affect us personally, but it can influence the way other people see you too.
Action – Colour therapy is an alternative health modality used to treat different disorders by training coloured lights on a client’s body. By finding out how different colours can work for you, it is possible to achieve some of these benefits yourself.
Surrounding yourself with a certain colour in a room, or wearing it, or even eating foods of a specific colour can all add up to major shifts in mood and overall health.
Steps – Use the following brief guide to choose a colour that would be helpful for you today. Do more research if you are curious to find out why they work, but know that you won’t do yourself any harm in paying more attention to what kinds of colours are in your environment.
Red – Good for circulatory and nervous system, also can increase confidence
Orange – Improves mood and feeling of alertness
Yellow – The sunshine colour, yellow can improve metabolism, strengthen the immune system, and help with indigestion, and also make you feel optimistic
Green – Increases feelings of positivity and happiness, also associated with success
Blue – Promotes calm and relaxation, also can have a pain-reducing effect
Pink – Promotes feelings of compassion and kindness, also of love
Purple – Good for inspiration, imagination, and can help lighten a dark mood
This is a brief list but is a good starting point to get you thinking about how colour can be a catalyst to help you have a brighter day.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – Colours and emotions can mirror each other. It’s why black is the standard colour, or lack of it, for mourning. Bright versus muted, or cool versus warm, colours can be a reflection of how we feel and the way we present ourselves to the world. Sometimes changing the way you feel about yourself can be as simple as changing the colour of the clothes you wear every day.
Example – I rented a condo that had an entire wall painted a dark red. It always felt hushed and subdued in there, pretty much the opposite of bright and sunny. As soon as I entered the room, I would be drawn to activities like reading or meditating. For some people, red can invoke anger or hostility, but for me it was more of warmth and comfort.
We all have colours that we prefer, and it’s interesting to notice which ones you are drawn to the most. If you want to feel a certain way today, then pick the colour that can help you express that mood to yourself and everyone around you.