Using Colours to Positively Influence Your Mood

The colors we wear, what we see in nature, and what we surround ourselves with in our homes and working environments all act to influence us in mind, body, and spirit, as well as our behavior. Specifically, different colors can actually have an impact on your physical and mental wellbeing. The fact that colours have a profound effect on our moods and emotions, is no secret now, and we’d be wise to include the influence of colours as part of our self-care awareness. But is there science behind this phenomenon?

Color was widely recognized for centuries by the ancients and Indigenous peoples across continents for its importance in spiritual meaning, symbolism, and ceremony. The use of colors encompasses many areas of our lives, involving sacred aspects in diverse religions, spiritual beliefs, and cultural and ceremonial practices and healings.

Today, “Colour Psychology” as it’s popularly known, is the study of hues as a determinant of human behaviour. While the effects of colours on our emotions are often subjective, there is a surprising amount of scientific evidence to suggest that different colours can indeed influence our moods in very real ways.

To consciously use color as an energy tool for self-care, we can first pay attention to what colors we are drawn to, as well as when we are drawn to them, and how we feel. Each color has its own energy vibration that has an impact on us. Some colors will energize and invigorate us, soothe and calm us, or put us on alert. All colors have a dual psychological impression of negative and positive, depending on what mood and situation we are in, and what message about ourselves we want to convey.

Let’s look more closely as to how colours can influence our energy.

Black

Black represents all colors absorbed into one; therefore, there is an absence of light. Black can bring in a sense of authority, protection, glamour, or sophistication. Conversely, it can also represent heaviness, coldness, a threat, or even oppression. If you are already feeling down, black may not be your best choice. If you choose to lighten it up, some of the more energetic colors below can help.

Brown

Brown is a natural, earthy color that represents reliability, groundedness, and warmth. Brown can also initially convey an impression of humility or sometimes of being too serious. This color can be helpful to soften, stabilize, and ground your energy.

Gray

Gray can be experienced as a neutral color. It’s not always best in exuding confidence, unless you accent it with a brighter color, as it doesn’t express as much energy or vitality. Silver is actually gray with a metallic or polished sheen. This color can help you to appear businesslike, but it may lack a sense of warmth you might want to convey.

White

White is very interesting in its affect and meaning. White is the complete opposite of black and is a total reflection of all colors. Sometimes it is not as easy to look at white and if there is no other colour to provide accent to it, white can be perceived as being pure, hygienic, simple, sophisticated, standoffish, or even elite.

Red

Red is often associated with feelings of excitement, energy, and passion. It has been shown to increase heart rate and respiration. If you're looking to inject some life into your home, or feel a little more energized in the moment, consider using red in a top you wear or as an accent color in your environment.

Orange

Orange is often associated with feelings of happiness, warmth, and enthusiasm. Like red, orange has also been shown to increase heart rate and respiration. Orange is a great color to use in rooms where you want to promote conversation and creativity!

Yellow

Yellow is often associated with feelings of happiness, optimism, and sunshine. Yellow is connected to our intellect and it has been shown to increase brain activity and stimulate the nervous system. Yellow is also a great color to use in kitchens or dining rooms as it promotes appetite!

Green

Green is often associated with feelings of peace, relaxation, and nature. Green has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote restfulness. Green is also associated with our central heart energy centre. If you're looking for a connecting, calming effect in your home, consider using green.

Blue

Blue is often associated with feelings of calmness, serenity, and productivity. It has been shown to decrease heart rate and respiration. Blue is a great color to use in offices as it promotes more concentration and focus. Many people will wear blue near their throat when wanting to ensure clear communications. Blue is a colour that is often worn for job interviews, as it symbolizes loyalty.

Purple or Violet

These synonymous colors are most often connected to our sense of spirituality, spiritual awareness, truth, and inner vision. This color, depending on the hue, can both liven up your energy as well as create an impression of introversion and deeper thought.

Purple is also associated with feelings of mystery and creativity. Purple has been shown to increase brain activity associated with imagination. If you're looking for a color that promotes visual creativity, try incorporating some purple or violet into wardrobe or home.

Conclusion:

Colours have a big impact on our lives whether we realize it or not. Different colours can affect our emotions in different ways. I consciously pick colors for my daily self-care routine to boost my energy, convey an impression, or simply help me feel emotionally comfortable. Color is important to us in where we live, what we wear, and how we feel. Colors also connect us.

An interesting phenomenon I’ve witnessed in my workplaces, with my colleagues, is after a few months of getting to know people, several of us will turn up wearing the same color on the same day. Sometimes these colors reflect the colors of the upper energy centres (“chakras”) and will reflect the more emotional and spiritually-oriented colors of, green, blue, violet, or purple hues, thus making a simple demonstration of the closer emotional and spiritual links that have grown between us.

So, as part of your personal self-care, the next time you're feeling a bit down or need a little energy boost, remember as part of your self-care tool box, there are also colours to choose from that can give you a little more energy, or they can help you relax and calm, if you’re feeling a bit anxious or stressed.

Barbara Halcrow

Barbara believes that by offering ourselves more care and self-nourishment we will gain in personal strength and resilience. In this way, we can create swifter, positive changes in our lives, and we can also positively affect the lives of others.

Don’t forget to have your own “recess time” and add play to your day!

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