COLOR PSYCHOLOGY

Are you green with envy? Feeling blue? Or, do you have a heart of gold?

Color affects our moods, our productivity and, certainly, our consumer choices. Proven to be useful alternative psychotherapy, color has been used since ancient times to help the mind-body function better.

Red is associated with energy, anger, strength, power, warmth, determination, passion, desire and love. It attracts attention and sometimes signifies danger. It increases metabolism, increases the appetite, respiration rate and raises blood pressure.

Orange represents joy, the tropics, enthusiasm, fascination, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement and stimulation. It also is attributed to a good bargain, when products are marketed with orange.

Yellow stimulates our intellect, increases concentration, infuses cheerfulness, happiness, joy and increases energy. It represents honor and loyalty. Associated with the sun and flowers, it produces a warming effect. Bright yellow attracts attention and with overuse can be annoying. Babies have been shown to cry more in yellow rooms.

Green is the color commonly found in nature, symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, safety, stability, endurance and regeneration. It is considered a ‘neutral’ in design and is associated with calmness and tranquility. It is considered healing for the body and mind, slows metabolism, and symbolizes trust, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith and truth.

Blue is calming and is believed to help insomnia, anxiety, throat problems, lower the pulse rate, high blood pressure and lower body temperature. It enhances verbal expression, communication, artistic expression and willpower. Blue is the most common favorite color, especially of men. Serene, peaceful, tranquil, secure and orderly. Often used to decorate offices—research shows that people are more productive in blue rooms.

Violet is aligned with majesty, quality, power, nobility, luxury and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance, wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery and magic. Recommended for bedrooms, as purple has been found to be the most restful for sleeping.

White is associated with purity, light, innocence, goodness, cleanliness, safety, faith and is the color of perfection. It usually has a positive connotation and can represent a successful beginning.

Black is associated with depth, power, elegance, formality and mystery. It denotes strength and authority and is considered a formal and prestigious color.