The power of colour on our mind, mood and behaviour
Colours are more powerful than we think. They influence our thinking, inspire our decision-making, and impact our moods.
62-90% of a first impression is due to colours.
Colours can make us feel happy or sad, tense or relaxed. They can give us a sense of security and confidence. They can even provoke hunger or boost our energy. These reactions are rooted in psychological effects, biological conditioning and cultural imprinting.
Lets see how different attributes of colour can effect our brain and behavior.
1. Warm colours
Red, orange and yellow are considered warm colours. Warm colours often evoke feelings of happiness, optimism and energy. Red draws attention like no other color and motivates us to take action. Orange is a youthful and energetic color, it is optimistic and uplifting, adds spontaneity and positivity to life and encourages social communication and creativity. Yellow makes learning easier as it affects the logical part of the brain, stimulating mentality and perception. It inspires thought and curiosity and boosts enthusiasm and confidence.
2. Cool colours
Cool colours include green, blue, and purple. Cool colorus are usually calming and soothing and stand for trust and security. Green is universally associated with nature. It is a generous, relaxing color that revitalizes our body and mind. It balances our emotions and leaves us feeling safe and secure. It also gives us hope, with promises of growth and prosperity. Blue - associated with the sky and water - has a calming and relaxing effect on our psyche. The color stands for trust and loyalty, confidence and security. Purple - a mixture of blue (calm) and red (intense) is often used to help spark imagination and creativity. It is also associated with royalty and luxury.
3. Energizing colours
Strong and bright colours can boost our energy and make us feel more alert. These colours stand out from their surroundings and grab our attention. Red, the most dynamic color by nature, tends to be the most stimulating one. It causes the body to pump out more adrenaline and speed up our heart rate. Purple and yellow can have a similar effect. Being surrounded by energizing colours stimulates our minds and can encourage conversation and collaboration.
4. Calming Colours
Cool colours like blue and green and pastel colours have a calming and relaxing effect. Green is present in most of the spaces we visit when we want to feel relaxed like parks and quiet forest. Neutrals like white, beige and grey can also make you feel calm. The fewer colours are combined and the more simple they are presented, the more calming they will feel.
5. Happy colours
Happy colours are bright, warm colours like yellow, orange, pink and red. Pastel colours can also have an uplifting effect on our mood. The brighter and lighter a colour, the more happy and optimistic it will make us feel. Combining multiple primary and secondary colours is another way to create happy emotions. Think about a rainbow!