The Impact of Colors

The colors around you can impact you emotionally, physically, and psychologically. Color is everywhere. While some colors can relax and calm you, others can bring a sense of stress. There are numerous elements that can influence the way a person feels when they are exposed to a certain color. Color choices are also influenced when designing hotel rooms to food packaging to helping make a guest or consumer feel a certain way.

The color red can radiate energy, increase pulse and heart rate, and raise your blood pressure. One bank found that its lines moved faster when they added more red to the bank lobby. BBC published a report finding that boxers and martial artists wearing red had a five percent better chance of winning their matches. Studies show people who wear red feel more dominant, which can trigger an increased heart rate and testosterone boost that can improve performance.

Yellow is a radiant color which promotes happiness and optimism. This color has an influence on the left side of the human brain and promotes stronger analytical thinking. Yellow has been found to increase mental activity, heighten awareness, increase energy levels, as well as increase metabolism.

The color blue can be associated with calmness and stability. The Journal of Business Research found that shoppers found stores with a blue interior significantly more likeable and were more likely to spend more time shopping and buying products than in another store with an orange interior. Another article from the Huffington Post noted men should wear blue on a first date because it creates a “stable” feeling”.

Pink has been found to be feminine and also provides a calming effect on people. University of Iowa’s former football coach had the opposing team’s locker room painted pink in an effort to calm the players and extinguish their fighting spirit.

Green is also associated with feelings of calm and is a soothing and refreshing color. Green signifies health and life. Some studies have shown people who work in green offices have higher rates of job satisfaction and consumers have been shown to spend more time shopping in stores that are painted green. Green also stimulates healthy living. Many health care facilities incorporate shades of green into their decor. These are just a few descriptions of how colors impact our moods. However, the reasoning as to why colors affect the way a person feels isn’t straight forward; colors are linked to our personality traits in different ways. The colors we choose for ourselves can define our chances of success in any area. Remember this when you are painting or decorating an office, kitchen, and living room. The colors you choose can make a big impact.

Jill Haupts, Outreach Coordinator for The Kim Foundation

Jill Haupts is the Outreach Coordinator at The Kim Foundation. She received her bachelor’s degree in Child, Adult, and Family Services from Iowa State University in 2016. Jill joined the Kim Foundation in January coming from Des Moines, Iowa. Her previous experience includes volunteer recruitment and fundraising, as well as experience coordinating services and providing resources to adults who have a mental health diagnosis. Jill’s role in the foundation is coordinating event logistics, presenting and attending community fairs, as well as volunteer coordination and recruitment. She enjoys working in the nonprofit field and has a passion for advocacy and helping others.