WELL BEING
IN THE PINK Or green, or yellow, or blue ... The colours we wear can make a difference to our mental and physical well-being, not to mention our confidence as we start to step back into socialising. Colour can be used to express personality, send subliminal messages about our mood and even attract a mate! Isaac Newton developed the first circular diagram of colour in 1666, but it was Johann Wolfgang Goethe who created a new version, an equilateral triangle that showed the psychological effects of colour, researching the sensations created when colour reached our brain and how they shaped our perceptions. When Keith Jacobs and Frank Justmyer tested the reactions of 24 men with four primary colours in 1974, for example, they found that the galvanic skin response (GSR) showed that red was significantly more arousing than blue or yellow, and that green caused more of a reaction than blue. That stacks up with what we know about red being the colour of passion and intensity but what about the others? What do they represent and how do we react to them? Can they change our mood and build our confidence? Colour psychology divides colours into two: warm and cold. On the warm side there are reds, oranges and yellows which can generate anger and hostility as well as warmth and comfort. Cold colours such as violet, blue and green may make us feel sad whilst, on the positive side, can also generate a sense of calm. Affecting both ourselves and others, wearing a particular colour sends a message, whether it be subliminal or not.
M E L LO W YE L LO W
Need cheering up or want to represent energy and joy, or simply need to focus? Wearing yellow brings positivity, improved creativity and is great for when we need to feel calm or make decisions. It is associated with intelligence and inspiration but, like red, too much of it can cause stress and anxiety so team it with another colour for the best effect.
FUN ORANGE
N AT U R E ’S GREEN
Our blood pressure and heart rate can be decreased by wearing green, the soothing colour of nature, rest, peace and love. Calming and creating a sense of balance, green is seen to represent intelligence and can project trustworthiness.
As a mix of red and yellow, orange stimulates, focussing our minds on physical comforts as well as sensuality. It can put us in a positive and energetic mood, help with creativity, increase our sense of fun and bring optimism and emotional balance. To others it can be joyous but, beware, orange overkill can cause anxiety.
CO M F O RT I N G B ROW N
Brown is what they call a silent colour, one that is associated with trust, justice, stability and support. That’s why wrapping ourselves up in a favourite brown jumper or throw will help us to feel safe, warm and calm.
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