Color Psychology

Research show that there’s a link between colors and the way we react to them. Colors impact us emotionally, mentally, and psychologically. They can change our behavior and actions in a negative or a positive way. Here are some examples:
Red – most people associate red with unconditional love and warmth. It can also be associated with passion and strong emotions, but it may trigger hostility and anger. When it was shown to students before an exam, it had a negative impact on their test performance. Red also symbolizes power and courage, excitement, energy, and determination. With white added to it, pink – it induces femininity and unity, it gives us the power to forgive, but it may also cause lack of motivation. Lavender has a similar effect as pink.
White – stands for purity, kindness, mercy, and peace. White has a calming effect, reduces anxiety, and relaxes the nervous system. It connects to a higher energy with certain professions such as doctors and nurses, capable of healing power.
Grey – is a color of depression, feelings of fear, egoism, a lack of connection to others. Black – in most of the world is associated with depression, melancholy, and funerals.
Orange – a color of energy boosting effects. It’s considered a stimulant, encouraging optimism and creativity.
Yellow – is a color of happiness and cheerfulness. Yellow comes to mind when we think of high energy and joie de vivre. It’s bright and vibrant color is exhuming warmth. Lack of yellow, like the warmth of the sun as it happens in Alaska, causes depression. On the negative effects of yellow, it might cause frustration and agitation.
Green – is associated with health and growth. A lot of medicine packages come in green. Green is a color of harmony and balance. Hues of blue and green are soothing colors that calms sadness. They help lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Blue is also optimal for sleep environment. Blue also gives a feeling of trust and dependability, (as in police uniforms). It may increase creativity and productivity at the workplace.
Purple – is a color associated with royalty. It’s a color of spirituality and high wisdom, love and connection to others on a soulful level. People who love purple have high self-esteem and high self-awareness. They search for depth and truth.
Oscar Wilde once said: “Mere color can speak to the soul in thousands of different ways”.
Obviously, our brain’s reaction to colors, situations and experiences in life is individual.
There are different ways that we can incorporate colors in our world, in selecting furniture or painting the walls of our homes, adding accent pillows and decor pieces. Consider the weather in your area and the vibes you get from the colors. Remember Colors affect us personally, in different ways, so choose the colors that promote happiness and positivity in your life. Your emotions will affect your actions daily.
As an artist I’m grateful that I can see the beauty of all the colors of the rainbow. I paint my world in many vibrant colors to boost my spirit, and besides, I sometimes choose to view my world in rose colored glasses.
Naomi Young is a Jewish studies and a Bar/ Bat mitzvah teacher in Santa Clarita for 40 years. She is also a published writer and an artist. Contact her at naomiyoung7@yahoo.com Visit her art website at www.naomiyoung.com