Did you know colors evoke certain emotions?  Have you noticed when you feel gloomy if you wear something brighter, you’ll feel a bit better and lights up your mood?

“He saw red.”
“I’m feeling blue.”
“She was green with envy.”

How often have you heard these expressions? They’re actually fairly common. And they’re a good illustration of how color relates to our emotions.

Actually, color evokes a physical effect on the human body. It can influence the pituitary gland, which helps regulate hormone production. Hormones can affect our moods, so it makes sense that color would, too. But it can also be used to change our moods. How can you use colors to change your mood? Well, clothing is the most obvious choice. What you wear not only helps you feel a certain way, but also can give a strong impression about you to others – especially people you’ve never met.

Below, we breakdown what each primary color makes you feel.

  • Red:   – Root – grounding.  Associated with Love, Heat, evokes Anger, Intensity, Excitement.  Red is used to increase circulation and stimulate the body and mind.
  • Orange: – Sexuality – Energetic, Warm color, evokes Enthusiasm and Excitement.  Orange is used to draw attention, as in traffic signs.
  • Yellow: – Solar- Digestion.  Cheery, Warm, Core, Nature; but evokes Frustration and Anger.  Yellow increases metabolism.  Highly visible, attention grabber.
  • Green: – Heart – Emotions.  Nature, Health, Healing, Good Luck, Tranquility, Jealousy; has been known to increase the ability to read, used in decorating to relieve stress and calm, color of fertility.
  • Blue:  Throat – Calm, Relaxed, Soothing; evokes Serenity, Sadness – Men Preferred, Research proven blue rooms make people more productive; least appetizing.   Blue can ease the suffering of illness and pain, also lower the pulse and body temperature.
  • Violet/Purple: – Third-eye.  Symbol of Wealth and Royalty, Spirituality and Wisdom.  Sometimes evokes: exotic, mysterious, above all.
  • White: – Crown – Innocence, Spacious, Purity, Sterile, Focus, isolation
  • Black may make some people think of depression, but it doesn’t have to. It’s a very dramatic color; many artists wear nothing but black. It can denote mystery, something hidden – or maybe an introvert who’s been around crowds too long could use it to “hide” from people. In this sense, it can be a very classy or protecting color.
  • Gray is a common color for business suits, and in those instances it can indicate independence, self-control, and self-confidence. But some color specialists think it’s also about ambiguity and indecision; after all, it isn’t black, and it isn’t white, either.

You don’t have to change everything about your appearance. Sometimes an accessory, like a tie or scarf, in a particular color will have the desired effect – without being too noticeable to others.   Many of my friends know I enjoy wearing scarf’s and Pashmina and have a vast collection in different designs and colors. I enjoy the feeling of comfort and coziness, as it  enhances the look of my wardrobe.

You may also want to make changes to your surroundings. This doesn’t mean, though, that you have to replace all your wardrobe or furniture (unless you want to, of course!). Small changes like fresh flowers, decorations, pillows, or other throws placed on the furniture may just do the trick!

May you spring forward with bright and sunny colors!

To Your Health,

Liza