[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]While the psychological influence of color has not undergone much scientific research, there have been some practical studies. They’ve found that color seems to have a remarkable self-reported impact on our mood, behavior and levels of stress. According to clinical psychologist Dr Sandrina Haeck, artists and interior designers have long believed that color can dramatically affect moods, feelings and emotions.
Color my mood
“Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions,” Pablo Picasso once remarked. “Color is a powerful communication tool and can be used to signal action, influence mood and even influence physiological reactions,” Haeck explains. She elaborates: “While there are some color effects that have universal meaning, colors are also somewhat subjective. Traditionally, colors in the red area of the color spectrum are known as warm colors, and include red, orange and yellow. These can evoke feelings of warmth and comfort or anger and hostility, depending on the shade. Colors on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colors, and include blue, purple and green. These colors are often described as calming, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.”
In general, the eight foundational colors are said to be associated as follows:
RED: Energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination, passion, love
ORANGE: Joy, sunshine, tropics
YELLOW: Joy, happiness, intellect and energy
GREEN: Growth, harmony, freshness, fertility
BLUE: Depth, stability, trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth
PURPLE: Royalty, power, nobility, luxury, ambition
WHITE: Light, goodness, innocence, purity, cleanliness, faith, mourning
BLACK: Power, elegance, formality, death, evil, mystery
Can culture affect the interpretation of color?
Color psychology is a field of study devoted to analyzing the emotional and behavioral effects produced by colors and color combinations. Haeck says color psychologists believe certain colors are rooted in individual experiences. She adds that, “many cultures have completely different associations with, and interpretations of colors. Feelings about color are often deeply personal and rooted in your own experience of your culture.” For example, while the color white is used in many Western countries to represent purity and innocence, it is seen as a symbol of mourning in many Eastern countries.
How can color psychology be used in therapy?
Color therapy (also known as chromotherapy or light therapy) is a type of holistic healing that uses the visible spectrum of light and color to affect a person’s mood and physical or emotional welfare. Says Haeck: “There is evidence of its use as a complementary therapy dating back thousands of years to the ancient cultures of Egypt, China and India.”
How does it work? Haeck explains: “Color is simply light of varying wavelengths. Thus, each color has its own particular wavelength and energy. The energy relating to each of the seven spectrum colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet is said to resonate with the energy of each of the seven main chakra. Good health and well-being is said to be achieved by a balance of all these energies. Color therapy aims to rebalance and/or stimulate these energies by applying the respective color to the body.”
Can color influence your performance?
In a new study examining the influence of color on performance, the color red was noted to make people’s work more accurate, while blue was seen to make them more creative. Haeck notes: “Consider the Olympic uniform study, in which anthropologists at Durham University in England found that athletes in the 2004 Olympics who wore red instead of blue – when participating in boxing, TAE kwon do, Greco-Roman wrestling and freestyle wrestling – won 60% of the time.” The researchers suggested that red – for athletes as well as for animals – subconsciously symbolizes dominance. Cognitive experts suggest that colors may affect our performance because of the mood they stimulate.
Using color psychology to boost productivity
Color psychology can be applied in your day-to-day life by repainting your room or office space, choosing an outfit to wear or even changing the color of your company logo. However, adds Haeck: “Overstimulating the senses using warmer colors can be detrimental to productivity, as it has been shown to increase tension in workers and raise their blood pressure. Likewise, under stimulating the senses can also distract workers or lead to boredom. A great deal of thought and consideration should be given to placement and usage of color in work and home environments, as it does directly impact on mood and, therefore, physical and mental welfare.” 
Research published in The Journal of Sensory Studies suggests that using the following colors can boost productivity. Each color also has a unique mood-enhancing characteristic:
Green provokes a feeling of tranquility by reminding us of nature. You should use this as the main color in your break room. It will provide a haven from work, helping you to clear your mind and relax. When you return to your workstation, you’ll feel revitalized and more productive.
Blue promotes productivity, as it is a calming color. It is best used on your office walls to promote tension relief.
Red provokes faster breathing and a faster heart rate. It should be avoided as a main color, but it promotes creativity when used in small doses. It’s recommend to use this as an accent color in your decor or furniture.
White provokes a sense of cleanliness. It goes with everything and creates a more spacious, well-lit environment. If you are considering white walls, consider using strong accent colors to help to generate creativity.
Yellow promotes edginess when present in large amounts and should be avoided as a main color. However, used as an accent, it does brighten the room and increase productivity.
Want to know more? Read more about the topic here.
Bottom line
As Oscar Wilde said, “Mere color, unspoiled by meaning, and allied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” So, become more aware of the colors in your environment and how they may be working for or against you. Harnessing the power of color to boost your mood and productivity is a great ace to have up your sleeve. Now, as we start dusting off the winter cobwebs, you can add them to your spring-cleaning to-do list in pursuit of a happier, healthier you.
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