We may not realise this, but as human beings we spend a lot of time thinking about colour, whether in terms of the clothes we wear, the cars we buy or the shade of paint we use in our homes. This is because most people believe that colour affects mood. However, new studies suggest that the correlation between colours and behaviour may be rather more tenuous than we think.
Supporting the fact that colour influences mood is The Color Association of the United States which states that people have an innate reaction to colour , so that when we look at red, it increases our heart rate, whereas blue is said to lower blood pressure because it is associated with nature (sky and sea) and convey a sense of calmness and tranquility. Green, says the Association, also puts people in a relaxed mood because it symbolises new growth. Yellow carries both positive and negative connotations as it can convey a joyous and happy mood because of its connection with sunshine as well as more more negative reactions because of its association with jaundice and sickliness.
However , when it comes to colours and behaviour, a research conducted by the University of Basel in a maximum security prison in Switzerland last year found that colours do not always have the expected effect. As part of the research , inmates who broke prison regulations were held in detention cells which were either painted pink, or grey and white. After three days, prisoners in all the cells were less aggressive and the research concluded that the colour of the walls had no impact on their behavior. Although the relationship between colour, mood and behaviour requires further study, it is hard to deny that some Colors can make us fell happier while others have the opposite effect .Perhaps the most sensible thing to do, whether you are choosing a kameez, a car or a shade of paint, is to pick a colour you like and which has a cheering effect on you.
By Marylou Andrew