Many people don’t understand the impact colour has on our physical body and on our emotional states. It can happen wherever we are; home, work, school etc.
For example, walk into a playschool and most likely you’ll notice a lot of bright colours on the walls. These colours stimulate brain functioning and make learning more fun.
However, scientists have found that colour isn’t just used to brighten up a room; it is actually mood altering. The effects of colour can be drastic!
Researcher, Robert Gerard, experimented by flashing red, blue, and white lights at test subjects. When the subjects looked at the red light, their blood pressure, breathing rates and the amount of sweat on palms all increased, as did the frequency of eye blinks. When the subjects looked at the blue light, blood pressure dropped, as did the amount of eye blinks and breathing. Gerard found that colours with longer wavelengths (the warm colours: red, yellow and orange) hype us up, while shorter wavelengths (cooler colours like blue, purple and green) calm us down.
Here are some universal associations with basic colours:
Blue
Because peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, it is often used in bedrooms. It is believed that blue slows metabolic activity. Blue can also be cold and depressing or pain relieving. People are more productive in blue rooms. Blue enhances clear thinking, diligence and organization.
Green
Currently a popular decorating colour, green symbolizes nature and is the universal healing colour. It is the easiest colour on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, nourishing, refreshing colour. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Clear perception, self- recognition, and compassion are associated with green.
Red
The most emotionally intense colour, red stimulates the heart to beat faster and breathing to increase. Red also increases metabolic activity. As red is the colour of love, it is often used as an accent colour in decorating. Decorators say that red will attract attention. Self-motivation, leadership and generosity are some qualities of the colour red.
Yellow
Cheerful, sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic colour, most people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. Why? Yellow is the most difficult colour for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration and speeds metabolism. Communication, observation and analysis are some attributes of yellow.
Black
Black is the colour of authority and power. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. The qualities of black include self-sufficiency, individualism and protection.
White
White is associated with light. As such, it is often linked to goodness, innocence, purity and virginity. It is also considered to be the colour of perfection. When used with intention, white can represent a successful beginning.
Purple
Purple has long been associated with royalty. It strongly symbolizes power, nobility, luxury and ambition. It conveys wealth and sometimes hints at extravagance. Purple is also associated with wisdom, dignity and independence. It is a powerful colour in enhancing creativity, mystery and magic.
Well, my room’s purple and white, so I guess that’s why I’m such a creative person who aspires to achieve a lot 😉
But, in relation to the title, just imagine how boring the world would be without colour…
Observations of a Lifetime 