Did You Know…The Colors We See Affect Our Emotions?

Colors play a huge role in our life and affect us every single day if we like it or not.  When we look at colors, light receptors within the eye transmit messages to the brain, which produce the familiar sensations of color. Newton observed that color is not inherent in objects. Rather, the surface of an object reflects some colors and absorbs all the others. We perceive only the reflected colors.

So, can colors really affect your mood and the way you feel?  We have all heard famous expressions like “she was green with envy,” “He is feeling blue,” or “I’m seeing red”!  Colors are often referenced to a feeling of emotion and together, colors and emotions have a very interesting relationship.

How Our Brain Views Colors

What is your favorite color?  Many people wear clothing that represents the same colors of their favorite sports team.  Many people also wear colors during their favorite season like red on Christmas or Green for Saint Patrick’s Day.  The color red can also be associated with anger, sweetness and passion.  In business, wearing a red tie can symbolize power and that you really “mean business.”  On the golf coarse, Tiger Woods wears a red shirt to convey dominance on the golf course.

Science has proven that colors create an emotion and stimulate the brain.  In a recent study, participants were given popcorn out of red bowls.  The participants who ate popcorn from the red bowl found that the popcorn tasted sweeter.

Most of us also remember getting our tests graded with a red marker.  Red marker grading may now be rarely used.  A recent study showed that teachers who graded work with a red marker seemed harsher to students.  Many teachers have given up the red ink and grade with fun colors like pink, light blue or green.

Red is not the only color that can change how we feel.  Blue is considered to be relaxing to the mind.  Many believe this is due to people associating the color blue with the ocean, rivers or the sky.  Many people notice a drop in heart rate and blood pressure when they are in an environment with a lot of blue around.

Orange is the color of encouragement.  This is a socially inviting color and is associated with happiness and joy.  This color appeals to younger people and also stimulates the appetite.

Yellow is the color of optimism.  It conveys youthful, fresh energy.  This can be attributed to the sun and sunlight that fuels life and provides nutrients to plants and our bodies.  It also stimulates the left side of the brain and helps with clear thinking and quick decision making.

Pink is the color of sensitivity.  This color is associated with love, tranquility and femininity.  It is associated with tenderness and nurturing feelings while conveying a sense of safety and vulnerability.

Green is the color of growth and health.  Think of nature and how we see life.  It has a very refreshing and peaceful color and evokes a feeling of abundance and plentiful environment.

Color Perception and Our Emotions

Colors and emotions are closely linked. Warm colors can evoke different emotions than cool colors and bright colors can create different feelings than muted colors.  Every color creates different emotions and feelings. Colors can make us feel happy or sad, and they can make us feel hungry or relaxed.

Taking Care of Your Eyes

So now we know that different colors can cause different reactions.  Regardless of how these colors make you feel, it is most important to take care of your eyes first!  You want to make sure you stay up to date on your yearly optometry appointments and eyeglass prescriptions.  If you notice any recent changes to your vision make sure to come see me!

I hope that you find this information helpful.  If you would like to read more of my blogs and get more information on eye health, make sure to subscribe below.

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