Color Psychology: Choose Your Optimal Color
Posted on February 29, 2008
Filed Under Health, Psychology
Color psychology is concerned with the effects of color on mood, emotion, behavior.
Colors are not only used for decorations or adding beauty to an object, but they can be used to determine personality traits to affect people’s mood and to effect on other people around you. Each colour is connected to various areas of our body and will affect us differently emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Below is a list of colors analyzed by their psychological effects:
- Red
Associated with: Danger, passion, energy, warmth, adventure and optimism.
Physical: increase blood pressure, increases respiratory rate, aids digestion, increases strength
The most emotionally intense color,it is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.
- Blue
Associated with: serenity, peace, sadness, loyalty, sincerity, justice
Physical: lowers blood pressure, slows respiratory rate, cooling and relaxing
The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.
- Green
Associated with: growth, envy, inexperience, refreshment, birth, jealousy, wealth, compassion
Physical: rejuvenation, expansiveness, balance
Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in “green rooms” to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.
- Yellow
Associated with: optimism, irritability, wisdom, cheer, annoyance, warmth
Physical: increases irritability, increases hostility, sharpens memory, aids digestion, stimulates circulation, stimulates appetite
Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism.
- Orange
Associated with: active, boldness, exuberance, cheer, vigour
Physical: decreases irritability, decreases hostility, improves social behavior
Orange brings joy to our workday and strengthens our appetite for life! Orange is the best emotional stimulant. Great colour to bring you back to life on a dull, cloudy day. It also helps depression. It connects us to our senses and helps to remove inhibitions and makes us independent and social. Personality Traits: Enthusiastic, happy, sociable, energetic, sporty, self-assured, and constructive.
- Black
Associated with: mourning, mystery, fright, elegant, dignity, sophisticated, uncertainty, intimidated, intimidating
Physical: mourning, fatigue
Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black.
- White
Associated with: joy, hope, innocence, cleanliness
Physical: purity, enlightenment
Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.
- Brown
Associated with: earthiness, natural ,tranquil, bored casual, embraced, safe
Physical: encompassed, dull
Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.
Color Psychology as Therapy:
Several ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Chinese, practiced chromotherapy, or using colors to heal. Chromotherapy is sometimes referred to as light therapy or colourology and is still used today as a holistic or alternative treatment.
In this treatment:
- Red was used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.
- Yellow was thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.
- Orange was used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.
- Blue was believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.
- Indigo shades were thought to alleviate skin problems.
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What a fascinating post. I bet there are mixtures of colors that produce results that are derived from each of the colors. For instance, someone who feels peace and playfulness when they are surrounded by pink, might have some “red” qualities tempered by the “white” qualities. It could get pretty complicated.