Colours Feelings, and Behaviour

Sunset and a snoozy Shaina – red stimulates the body and mind, orange increases energy levels

I often reminded by friends to remember to use colour therapy in my day to day life.

The idea is to remove the negatives of each colour then draw on the positives. For example, the list states the negatives of the colour RED are self-pity, impatience, irritability, jealousy, defeatist, destructive, self centered and anger. The positives are leadership, fortitude, courage, drive, will, imaginative, eagerness, inspiring others and to be outgoing. Mind you, it’s not always easy to remember how all these colours work so I thought it would be nice to share Kendra Cherry’s article on Colour Psychology from about.com.

“Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” – Pablo Picasso

The stunning colours of Egypt captured by Debbie Comini. The colour of the sand and the sky mesmerises the viewer – blue soothes, yellow purifies the body.

Colour Psychology
How Colours Impact Moods, Feelings, and Behaviors

By Kendra Cherry, www.about.com

Do you feel anxious in a yellow room? Does the colour blue make you feel calm and relaxed? Artists and interior designers have long understood how color can dramatically affect moods, feelings and emotions. It is a powerful communication tool and can be used to signal action, influence mood and cause physiological reactions. Certain colours can raise blood pressure, increase metabolism or cause eyestrain.

Of course, your feelings about colour can also be deeply personal and are often rooted in your own experience or culture. For example, while the colour white is used in many Western countries to represent purity and innocence, it is seen as a symbol of mourning in many Eastern countries.

Why is colour such a powerful force in our lives? What effects can it have on our bodies and minds? Continue reading to further explore the history of colour including how it’s used, the effects it may have and some of the most recent research on colour psychology.

What Is Colour?
In 1666, English scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that when pure white light passes through a prism, it separates into all of the visible colours. Newton also found that each colour is made up of a single wavelength and cannot be separated any further into other colours.

Further experiments demonstrated that light could be combined to form other colours. For example, red light mixed with yellow light creates an orange colour. Some colours, such as yellow and purple, cancel each other out when mixed and result in a white light.

If you have ever painted, you have probably noticed how certain colours can be mixed to create other colours.

Colour Psychology – The Psychological Effects of Colour
While perceptions of colour are somewhat subjective, there are some color effects that have universal meaning. Colours in the red area of the colour spectrum are known as warm colours and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colours evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility.

Colours on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colours and include blue, purple and green. These colours are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.

Colour 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.
Most psychologists view colour therapy with skepticism and point out that the supposed effects of colour have been exaggerated. Colours also have different meanings in different cultures. Research has demonstrated in many cases that the mood-altering effects of colour may only be temporary. A blue room may initially cause feelings of calm, but the effect dissipates after a short period of time.

Studies have also shown that certain colours can have an impact on performance. Exposing students to the colour red prior to an exam has been shown to have a negative impact on test performance. More recently, researchers discovered that the colour red causes people to react with greater speed and force, something that might prove useful during athletic activities.