How colour and light affect our mood: Ever heard of the term 'mood lighting'? It refers to lighting a room in a way that 'sets the mood' for its inhabitants which is appropriate to the function of that particular space. The underlying reason for manipulating light in this way is based on the fact that light affects the way humans feel and behave in a given space. If a room is brightly light with white light, it creates a somber environment well suited to offices, schools and other professional activities. If someone decided to light a restaurant in the same way, it might not be a popular choice with people who would like to luxuriate over a meal in a relaxed manner. For this reason, restaurants and other social spaces like a dining or living room should and often do have soft, upward-facing lighting. This disperses the beams of light over the ceiling which are then reflected back to the interior of the room more or less evenly. The effect of this indirect method of light dispersal is that the there is a diffused light throughout the space without any harsh shadows, creating an environment which is easy on the eyes and has a pleasing effect on the senses.
In the same way that light affects our moods and behaviour, colour plays a vital role in creating an ambience which invokes different moods and emotions. This is basic Colour Science, which affects the human physiology regardless of personal preferences or the awareness of effects of colour on the human psyche.
Scientific research has proven that the human brain is very sensitive to the stimulation of colours. For example, if a person were to be placed in a room with all the walls painted blue, it will stimulate the production of Alpha waves in the brain. Alpha waves induce a relaxed state and typically occur in the early stages of meditation and sleep. On the other hand, an individual placed in a room painted bright red will experience an increase in heartbeat and blood pressure, and may also feel a rise in body temperature. The colour green is known to soothe the eyes and alleviate stress, which is why it is a popular choice in hospitals and mental health facilities. Yellow and red stimulate the appetite as well as increasing activity levels, and are therefore the colours most often used in fast food restaurants to keep a good customer flow. These are just some examples of how colours affect our physiology. The power of colours doesn't end there; it extends to having the ability to make a small room appear larger, a cold room feel warmer and even help the spatial awareness of the visually impaired. A dark room often lowers energy levels, whereas sunlight streaming through clear windows can uplift the spirits of the most dull environments.
To end on a more personal note, I like to fill my surroundings with my favourite things - be it a colour, an image, a fabric or a piece of furniture. This is so that when I return home after facing the challenges of the day, I can feel soothed and uplifted by being in an environment that reflects what I love. If I can recharge my mind, body and spirit in this way, I will be in a much better position to utilise my energies productively the following day. We all have our personal preferences, but I find that colours play an essential role in invigorating my senses and providing inspiration. The benefits of having a space that is your personal sanctuary are manifold, so even if you start by adding a potted plant of that colour that you love, answer to that call and enjoy the moments of bliss that it invokes every time you see it. You can build on that inspiration by adding that colour or image as a mural or painted wallpaper or as decor for a piece of furniture. The possibilities are endless!
I will leave you with the simple wisdom of a song from one of my favourite films, the advice of which I have taken a step further by adding my favourite things to my daily visual experience. Hear it for yourself from Julie Andrews, "When anything bothers me and I'm feeling unhappy, I just think of nice things... like daffodils, green meadows, skies full of stars, raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens... and then I don't feel so bad !"
And remember to treat yourself to one of your favourite things today !
In the same way that light affects our moods and behaviour, colour plays a vital role in creating an ambience which invokes different moods and emotions. This is basic Colour Science, which affects the human physiology regardless of personal preferences or the awareness of effects of colour on the human psyche.
Scientific research has proven that the human brain is very sensitive to the stimulation of colours. For example, if a person were to be placed in a room with all the walls painted blue, it will stimulate the production of Alpha waves in the brain. Alpha waves induce a relaxed state and typically occur in the early stages of meditation and sleep. On the other hand, an individual placed in a room painted bright red will experience an increase in heartbeat and blood pressure, and may also feel a rise in body temperature. The colour green is known to soothe the eyes and alleviate stress, which is why it is a popular choice in hospitals and mental health facilities. Yellow and red stimulate the appetite as well as increasing activity levels, and are therefore the colours most often used in fast food restaurants to keep a good customer flow. These are just some examples of how colours affect our physiology. The power of colours doesn't end there; it extends to having the ability to make a small room appear larger, a cold room feel warmer and even help the spatial awareness of the visually impaired. A dark room often lowers energy levels, whereas sunlight streaming through clear windows can uplift the spirits of the most dull environments.
To end on a more personal note, I like to fill my surroundings with my favourite things - be it a colour, an image, a fabric or a piece of furniture. This is so that when I return home after facing the challenges of the day, I can feel soothed and uplifted by being in an environment that reflects what I love. If I can recharge my mind, body and spirit in this way, I will be in a much better position to utilise my energies productively the following day. We all have our personal preferences, but I find that colours play an essential role in invigorating my senses and providing inspiration. The benefits of having a space that is your personal sanctuary are manifold, so even if you start by adding a potted plant of that colour that you love, answer to that call and enjoy the moments of bliss that it invokes every time you see it. You can build on that inspiration by adding that colour or image as a mural or painted wallpaper or as decor for a piece of furniture. The possibilities are endless!
I will leave you with the simple wisdom of a song from one of my favourite films, the advice of which I have taken a step further by adding my favourite things to my daily visual experience. Hear it for yourself from Julie Andrews, "When anything bothers me and I'm feeling unhappy, I just think of nice things... like daffodils, green meadows, skies full of stars, raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens... and then I don't feel so bad !"
And remember to treat yourself to one of your favourite things today !
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