Response to color is psychological

DEAR GAIL: I love every color there is, but I’ve been hearing how different colors can have an effect on your mood. Is this really true? — Wendy H.

DEAR WENDY: Color definitely has profound effects on our mental and physical well-being so it is important to pay close attention to how we use it in our lives. Color can give us energy just as easily as it can take it away. It can make us anxious, elate us or depress us, stimulate our mind or make us apathetic. It is very powerful tool that influences our lives and has the ability to affect our wellness.

There have been many studies done and information published that fill books. So what I’m going to do is break up the information into two columns. This month will be about how and why we respond to color, with next month looking at each color and how it affects us. So, here we go with more of the scientific information, which I hope you find interesting.

In spite of a person’s demographic profile and external factors, research has shown that particular colors affect everyone in predictable and measurable ways. We are born with a basic response to color.

Color responses are also learned and can change over time. As our age and socio economic status increase, our response to color can change as well. When we have a dramatic change in our life, such as a move, divorce, death or facing a crossroads, you’ll find the colors you are attracted to change. Even memory plays a role in human reactions to color.

Contrary to popular belief, our first response to color is not to the aesthetic or “look.” A person’s response to color is deeply psychological. Color affects us on a subconscious level. We can better use color to our advantage if we understand the responses associated with particular colors and the way color affects people psychologically.

Here’s an example from personal experience.

As a designer I can design with all colors because it’s about what my client likes not my personal preferences. I love all my designs; I just may not be able to have them in my home. I’ve never been a fan of lime green. All of a sudden I notice that I bought a lime green top and then a pillow; it was very weird. I was noticing it everywhere I went and was really drawn to it. At the time I was contemplating changes in my business, what I really wanted to focus on and found it difficult.

Well, it happens I was taking a color class from Dewey Sadka, one of the world’s leading color experts. He developed the Dewey Color System, which was designed to identify personal passions, motivations, hopes, fears, strengths and weakness. During the class I kept on saying I hated lime green, but there I was drawn to it again.

Here’s what I learned about lime green. “Lime green shades give you the stamina to question what is missing in your life. Ignite your passions by letting your inner voice speak. You will discover how you are yearning to feel. Questioning yourself gives you the power to know exactly what you need to do.”

I was covered in goose bumps. From that point forward I embraced lime green and made some decisions.

I know some of you may think this is mumbo jumbo, but it did have a positive effect on my life. Just as the practice of feng shui can bring harmony into your life by introducing balance in your environment, so can color.

Now a little tease for next month — some of the positive effects of colors.

Red makes us feel more energetic, outgoing and ready to move forward.

Orange is stimulating. It encourages enthusiasm and zeal.

Yellow encourages open-mindedness and attention to detail.

Blue is nonthreatening and promotes values such as loyalty and honesty.

Green generates an atmosphere that is calm, soothing and balanced.

Purple generates feelings of self-respect, dignity and self-worth.

So during the next four weeks see what colors you’re attracted to and how they make you feel. Until then, have a colorful day!

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by email to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.