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The seasons are starting to change and with it the scenery around us. The air is feeling fresher and we’re starting to see an array of vibrant colours dotted around campus.
Whether you like to celebrate this time of year, or feel a little subdued by the lower levels of sunlight, did you know that colour itself can affect how we feel? Not only can it invoke a range of strong emotions within us, but it can also evoke physical reactions such as an increased appetite! With today being World Mental Health Day, traditionally a day to raise awareness of Mental Health issues, improve your own wellbeing and end stigma, we decided to look into this a little deeper and explore what this could mean for our wellbeing in general.
Whilst there is no exact science for each colour and perceptions of colour can be somewhat subjective depending on your personal and culture background, some effects have universal connotations. Warm colours such as reds, yellows and oranges can induce feelings of comfort and warmth but also feelings of hostility and even anger. However, those that have an undertone of blue, like burgundy, raspberry, and ruby can often be perceived as calming and call to mind a sense of nobility and majesty.
Red:
Red is a colour which attracts a lot of attention, and is associated with feelings of anger, love, excitement, and strength. It can be positive and motivating, giving us increased confidence, appetite and will power but too much red can cause visual strain, increase respiration rate, or even raised blood pressure. A little can go a long way so it’s advised to break up large areas with muted tones. Wearing red in smaller patches of an outfit can energise a group or even lift your mood.
Orange:
Orange is another attention-grabber, like red, but isn’t as overpowering. It can evoke feelings of stimulation, vibrancy, and enthusiasm and can bring to mind a sense of rejuvenation. When combined with autumnal shades it can take on an artistic and grounded feeling. However too much bright orange can increase feelings of pessimism so it’s important to balance it out with other shades and tones. It’s a colour that inspires encouragement and self-confidence.
Yellow:
Yellow can be seen as a positive colour as it reminds us of sunshine and smiley faces. It can increase feelings of joy, happiness and playfulness. However, because this colour reflects a lot of light, too much of it can be hard on our eye. In turn this can cause increased anxiety, nervousness and play havoc on our stress levels. It is also a colour that signifies creativity and new ways of doing things – the post-it note was invented in yellow with this in mind!
Green:
As the colour green is found a lot in nature, it can create a grounding and restorative vibe. It is also restful on the eyes and produces the least amount of eyestrain so can induce feelings of calmness, stability and harmony. Lighter tones can signify growth, freshness and rebirth whilst darker tones can relate to wealth and prestige. Too much green can evoke feelings of envy and jealousy but it small doses it can feel authoritative and approachable.
It is also associated with safety, protection and luck, and can be linked to general health (for example, a green light means GO!), so it’s also a good colour to encourage feelings of trust and security.
Blue:
Blue is often a popular favourite because of its calming and soothing properties. It can reduce tension and fear and slow the pulse rate. Darker shades can feel professional and safe whilst lighter tones can be seen as friendly and relaxing. Using too much blue can however leave people feeling cold, rigid and disengaged. It is often advised to balance this with fiery colours to create a sense of balance and harmony.
Whatever your preferred colour pick, it’s important to consider the space around you and the environment you are in. Whether you’re wearing a new outfit to work, choosing shades for artwork, or decorating a space it’s wise to consider colour selection. Whether you need a quick pick-me-up or a quiet moment of reflection, a dash of colour can work wonders to lift your mood. As well as being an exciting visual experience, it can also affect our moods, behaviours, and reactions.
Through colour, not only can we convey how we feel but it can affect how we can communicate with others. Although this can vary from person to person and different people may associate different meanings to certain colours, there is universal significance in the colour choices we make. And what better time to reflect on this than during the season of colour?
If you or someone you know are looking for mental health advice or support at this time, visit www.mind.org.uk for expert guidance.