The colours we choose to surround ourselves with affect us more than we realise. As a society, we associate colours with so many different things – they have meaning beyond simple visual stimulation. Some studies even suggest that we feel colours more than we see them. Turns out the more we learn about colour and how it affects our thinking, mood and emotions, the more we can use it to improve our lives.
For example, when you are tired and just don’t feel like doing anything, get some red on! This colour creates energy and helps infuse your spirit with vitality. You can rely on it to get you through a tough day.
When exercising and you want to improve your performance, choose a red outfit and try to make your way to the gym on a route where you’re more than likely to see red road signs, red cars and red traffic lights.
Want to get people excited and draw attention to yourself then red is your colour! It’s strongly associated with romance and passion, making it a perfect date-night colour. But be careful – it’s also been said that red stimulates the appetite and makes us hungry for junk food, so wear it with caution if you’re trying to make healthier food choices.
You probably know that interior designers use colour to create different moods in different rooms – to inspire, energise, or to create a sense of calm. Why not apply that concept to your clothes? Channel some of the power of colour into your outfits and see what happens. So for example, when you want to feel confident try a mix of red and black – two colours associated with confidence.
If a red dress isn’t your style, consider amping up the blush or bronzer. Having a slightly flushed skin tone may get you more attention, make you appear healthier and more attractive. So whether it’s lipstick, blush or bronzer, the allure of red is undeniable.
In a study done showing photos of ladies wearing red, white or green, the women in red got more attention as they were perceived as being more interested in sex and were, in turn, viewed as a threat. So that could explain why when you arrive at a party rocking that red dress, even your best friend may cling to her date more tightly.
Take a peek into your cupboard and notice what colours are the most dominant. The colours you choose to wear and even brand yourself with say a lot about you – individually and as a business. I have very few business outfits but my absolute favourite one is a red dress and jacket – it makes me more noticeable and I stand out from the crowd. It is by no means conservative so whenever I wear it I get lots of compliments
Being colour conscious can teach you a lot about what colour clothes send specific messages out to people around you.
The use of red can also have a distracting effect that can reach into the subconscious levels of our minds. Studies showed that when people see something red, even briefly, before they begin something like an IQ test they do not perform as well in the test. People may respond to red in such a way due to the fact that the colour brings to mind the red pencils and red pen marks used on tests and assignments by teachers, thus making red not the best of choice for study spaces and offices.
On the bright side, red backgrounds increase the attractiveness and desirability of a person standing in front of it which explains the common association of sexual attraction with the colour.
DECORATING WITH RED
Use colour to create interior designs that reflect who you are and what your own personal style is. Red, as bold and captivating as it might be, needs to be used carefully in certain cases. It can be a useful colour to include in a home, for example, a splash of red in an otherwise neutral room draws the eye. People are drawn to red so painting the wall at the end of a long hallway is a good idea but it’s not such a desirable colour to use in places where thoughtful work will be done.
Red raises a room’s energy level. Being the most intense colour, it pumps the adrenaline like no other hue. In the living room or dining room, red draws people together and stimulates conversation. In a doorway, it creates a strong first impression.
It is usually considered too stimulating for bedrooms and is not conducive to restful sleep.
It can be used in any activity area but red needs careful choice of tone and depth and the space in which it is to be used as it can make a space look smaller and can be claustrophobic or oppressive. However, red and its variations can make spaces feel warm and comfortable.
There is a good reason new parents avoid bright red when painting their baby’s room. Because red is a colour of energy that stimulates a faster heartbeat and rapid breathing, it’s definitely not a colour that will soothe a crying baby. Colours make a huge difference because they evoke emotions in all of us, even animals.
It’s amazing at how much colour has to do with a person’s appetite. Various factors affect your appetite, but did you ever imagine that colour would be one of them?
Some hues sway a person towards food whilst others cause them to feel less hungry. If you’re trying to lose weight, you know that listening to your internal hunger cues can help you realise when you’re truly hungry or full. However, there may be subtle external prods that could potentially increase or decrease your appetite. One crafty cue is colour.
People eat less food when it was served on a red plate because often the colour red is associated with danger or warnings. However, red can also be an appetite-stimulating colour, notice how often this colour is used in the fast food industry.
HEALING PROPERTIES OF RED
To read more about how the colour red can be used to support and heal you or your life, please click here
I hope you have found this article interesting and insightful.
Colourful blessings
Penni