Mind Your Wardrobe, Mind Your Space: They Color Your Mood

#StressManagement #SelfCare #SelfNurturing #Wellness #Balance #Color #Mood

Color affects mood. Often times, we aren't even aware of it. For seeing individuals, it is so easy to take color for granted because it is such a regular part of our everyday lives. But what if our world wasn't colorful? Imagine that everything was green. There is a green man sitting at his green desk. He looks over at the green wall to the digital clock display to catch the time. He stands and stretches. Grabs his green folder and files it away in the green filing cabinet. From there, he takes his green suitcase walks outdoors. He sprints over to his green car to make his long trek home. He waits for the traffic light to change from seawood to parakeet. In case you are wondering, yes; even the traffic light is green. He drives down the green highway watching the green trees and rolling green hills pass by. He pulls up in his subdivision "Green Acres" and turns right into his driveway. His little green dog comes bounding out to meet him. He steps inside his little green house and is warmly embraced by his little green wife. Care to take a guess what they are having for dinner tonight?

Life would be pretty bland if it were not for the variety of shades of colors we are blessed to behold each day. But there is more to color than that. Color affects our mood. Color possesses the ability to evoke specific feelings, set moods, and even influence decision-making processes. There in fact is a whole field of psychology (color psychology) that explores how different hues can affect our psychological and emotional states thus offering valuable insights into the effective application of colors to enhance various aspects of our lives. Whether consciously or subconsciously, colors possess the ability to elicit emotions, trigger reactions, and influence cognitive processes. They have the power to excite or calm our moods, elevate or reduce blood pressure, and even stimulate our appetite. Whether rooted in instinct or acquired through experience, it is indisputable that color plays a crucial role in shaping our daily experiences. Although cultural and personal experiences can have some influence on individual reactions to colors, there are certain universal responses to colors that have been consistently observed. In this article, we will explore together how different colors can affect our thoughts, emotions, and actions and how this knowledge is used for us and against us in our every day lives and interactions.

Blue

Blue is known for its calming and soothing effects. It is often associated with tranquility, trust, and reliability. It can inspire loyalty in those around you. It can lower blood pressure and heart rate, making it an ideal choice for creating a sense of serenity and stability. So if you are prone to being anxious, nervous, or on edge, try adding more blue to your life. A note of caution, while lighter shades of blue can promote a sense of openness, darker blues may evoke feelings of sadness or melancholy.

Red

The media has much to say about the seductive color of red. It is no accident that Valentine's advertisements are heavy on red. The color of passion, energy, and power, red is often associated with strong emotions such as love and excitement. It can increase heart rate and blood pressure and is believed to stimulate appetite. Red can also grab attention and convey a sense of urgency or importance. If you want to increase your confidence and energy, add more red into your life. A note of caution, too much red can be overstimulating and cause feelings of anger and resentment. It can cause tempers to flare for no apparent reason.

Pink

A variation of red that is more soothing, pink is a romantic color of love and protection. It is also a color favorite of Valentine's Day. Often associated with femininity and tenderness, pink is also known for its calming and nurturing effects. It can evoke feelings of love, compassion, and relaxation. Having issues with coworkers? Add a little pink to your desk; it will help you feel safe and at ease with yourself and those around you. Lighter shades of pink can create a sense of innocence and delicacy, while brighter pinks can be more energetic and playful. A note of caution, too much pink can make you angry and upset. Don't want to turn into a Dolores Umbridge.

Orange

Orange is a warm, happy color. It combines the energy of red and the warmth of yellow. It helps increase your level of physical activity, helps you stay motivated, and will make you want to get up and do more. Orange is associated with enthusiasm, creativity, and sociability. It can stimulate mental activity and draw attention. Like red, orange is believed to increase appetite and can be used to create a lively and energetic atmosphere. A note of caution, too much orange can lead to frustration, edginess, hyperactivity, and exhaustion.

Yellow

As a vibrant and cheerful color, yellow is associated with optimism, happiness, and energy. It is also known as a cleansing, empowering color than can bring balance into your life. It can stimulate mental activity and promote creativity. When you use yellow in your clothing or home, it shows that you're full of spontaneity. IF you are not functioning at your best, put on a yellow shirt and watch as it helps you increase your energy throughout the day. A note of caution, excessive exposure to bright yellow may lead to feelings of anxiety or restlessness.

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Green

Symbolizing nature, growth, and harmony, green is often associated with feelings of balance, stability, and fertility. Green is symbolic of nature. It helps connect you with feelings of unconditional love, hope, peace, and harmony. Remember that scene from "Meet the Parents?" People who wear a lot of green or like to have green around them are generally very good at making decisions. It is considered a refreshing color that can reduce stress and promote relaxation. Green is also frequently used to represent environmental awareness and health (and during the month of May it represents mental health awareness). A note of caution, too much green can make you lazy and cause you to lose your motivation.