“Color Theory” and Your Emotional Well-being

BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|

Life is full of colors; they produce different sensations in our day to day. For example, to help people in managing addictions, color therapies have been used to define what type of treatment is useful for the patient regarding their mental health and, of course, their state of mind[1] .

Different colors produce different results, for example, purple conveys creativity and spirituality, blue and green create an atmosphere of calm, orange and yellow stimulate the appetite, and red transmits inspiration, power and energy[2] . According to The Center for Urban Design and Mental Health[3],  people’s favorite colors are blue 57% in men and 35% in women, green 14% in men and 14% in women and red 7% in men and 9% in women.

The same reference states that colors also have attributes, which can generate, for example, aggressiveness and energy when it is red, nostalgia and mystery when it is purple, and responsibility when it is blue. Green transmits serenity, yellow optimism and creativity, orange fun and vibrancy, and black sophistication.

All these characteristics of colors directly influence the perspective we have of a person, as stated by Sally Augustin, Ph.D., the principal consultant of the firm Design with Science[4] , which would be delighted to help schools and different businesses select the appropriate textures, colors, lighting and designs for their spaces. For him, for example, if white or yellow colors predominate in a house, we will generate the concept that the person is calm or happy.

We also see how colors evoke emotions within people. Different brands[5]  also use color theory for their purposes: Fanta uses orange to create feelings of fun and confidence, Apple uses gray to convey feelings of neutrality and elegance, and Animal Planet uses green to convey “growth” and health.

There are many colors but surely, there is one that is your favorite. Stop for a moment to think why and what you are transmitting with it, so you can also begin to connect how this “color therapy” is interfering or helping with your emotional well-being.

References

 [1]https://deserthopetreatment.com/addiction-treatment/psychology/color-theory/

 [2]https://deserthopetreatment.com/addiction-treatment/psychology/color-theory/

 [3]https://www.urbandesignmentalhealth.com/blog/the-links-between-colour-architecture-and-mental-health

 [4]https://www.shondaland.com/live/body/a33463636/the-impact-of-color-on-our-well-being/

 [5]https://medium.com/change-becomes-you/how-color-affects-your-mood-and-mental-health-76fff36853c