Have you ever wondered why certain clothes make you feel more confident or what draws you to a particular brand?
Well, the answer might actually be very simple - colors.
You are surrounded by an array of different colors that might have a bigger impact on your moods and thoughts than you think.
So, let’s figure out to what extent and how exactly color can affect you.
What Is Color Psychology
Scientifically speaking, colors are the light the human eye can see, each in the form of a different wavelength.
Color psychology, though, has nothing to do with this.
It is a relatively new area in the field of psychology that studies the perception of colors and how they affect our moods, behaviors, and emotions.
Despite the general lack of research, many discoveries have shown that colors can indeed affect our thinking and the way we perceive the world around us.
Nowadays, color psychology is used in a large number of fields, including marketing, design, and even therapy methods.
Let’s delve into the meaning behind each of the colors.
How Colors Affect Us
As with any science, color psychology is not exactly straightforward.
What we mean is that although colors affect our psyche, this effect differs across cultures and sometimes even from person to person.
With this in mind, let’s look at every color separately.
White
Remember how each color has a different wavelength?
Well, fun fact - white is, technically, all the colors put together.
It is most often associated with feelings of purity, cleanliness, and calmness, which is why many brands widely use it for its design.
On the other hand, too much of the color white can evoke a feeling of sterility and coldness.
However, in Eastern cultures, it is considered a mourning color, and it’s worn to honor someone’s death.
Black
On the other side of the spectrum, black is the complete lack of wavelengths or simply the absence of any light.
The duality behind the color black comes from the variety of associations that it raises in the human brain.
For example, when it comes to clothing and design, black is considered timeless and can make you feel sleek, powerful, and strong.
On the other hand, across Western cultures, black is associated with fear and even death - therefore, it is no surprise that people wear black to funerals.
This is also why it can induce pessimistic emotions, feelings of sadness, and loneliness.
Red
Perhaps the biggest contender for the most contradictory color is red.
Let’s start with the negative - red can raise a sense of danger and aggressiveness in your brain.
Therefore, it is no surprise that it is widely used in many preventative campaigns and even in sports to assert dominance over the opposite team or player.
Alternatively, red is also associated with desire and passion - wearing red can be perceived as more attractive than the other colors.
Green
Another one of the primary colors - green, is often associated with nature and energy, which is why it has a calming effect on the brain.
Conversely, depending on the shade (usually a more yellowish green), it can create a negative emotion as it is associated with illness.
Blue
Blue is generally a very soothing color - it can have a calming effect on your mood and thoughts.
Though beware - it is also linked to sadness and loneliness - no wonder people say they are feeling blue!
Orange
Besides being the signature color of autumn, orange is also very vibrant and can lift your mood and make you feel energetic.
It is a vibrant color that grabs the attention, which is why it is often associated with playfulness.
Yellow
Yellow is probably the most vibrant color, making it the most tiring for the human eye.
It has some controversy behind it - some find it fills them with feelings of optimism and cheerfulness; however, it can cause frustration for others.
It can also make you feel like you are in danger - nearly all caution signs have yellow in them.
Brown
Brown is one of the dark colors and is naturally associated with more negative emotions like boredom, dullness, and isolation.
For some people, though, it can induce feelings of security and warmth as it is often linked to the color of wood and earth - all things that represent nature.
Pink
Pink is often seen as the color of femininity and can bring out feelings of being flirty and calm.
However, too much of it can make you feel irritated and angry.
Purple
As purple is not a very natural color, it induces feelings of curiosity and imagination.
So maybe, next time you struggle with a creative task, if you put on something purple, it might help you connect with your creative side.
To Wrap It Up
So far, we have reviewed what color psychology is and how colors can affect our current states and emotions.
It’s important to remember that the meanings behind each color can differ depending on an individual's culture and personal preferences.
What you can do, however, is reflect on what they mean to you and how you can utilize them in your everyday life.
And the next time you need a mood boost, try to surround yourself with the color that makes you feel happy - perhaps something warm?
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