Feeling blue? Good news - its the colour of happiness

Feeling blue? Good news - its the colour of happiness

By Fiona Macrae
Last updated at 1:03 AM on 06th January 2009


The world's a colourful place: Researchers suggest adding more colours into our lives to help increase our confidence, happiness and strength

Down in the dumps? Perhaps you should try the blues.

Although long associated with negativity, the colour can send self confidence soaring, cut stress and boost happiness, a study has found.

It is thought blue's feel-good factor has roots in our evolution, with ancestors linking the colour of the afternoon and evening sky to the feeling of a day well spent, and the prospect of a good night's sleep.

But the benefits do not end there - because blue could also make our minds sharper.

Researchers from the University of Sussex exposed volunteers to a range of colours and light.

Those exposed to colour completed the tests up to 25 per cent quicker, the research, which was commissioned by Boots, found.

Their reaction times were up to 12 per cent quicker, while hand-eye co-ordination and the ability to recall a list of words also improved.

Even physical strength - quantified by measuring the power of the volunteers' grip - was greater among those bathed in bright colours.

Shining one colour at a time on volunteers wired up to record brain activity, heart rate and sweat levels, revealed blue helped both sexes feel calm. Purple was also relaxing but only for the women.

Blue and green made the men feel happier, while blue, purple and orange raised the women's spirits.

When it came to confidence-building, blue and red did the job for men, while blue and purple were best for women, the research, which was backed up by a survey of 1,000 adults, found.

But, while red boosted the male ego, it was the colour least likely to make people feel happy or relaxed.


Confidence building: Purple had an effect on women, but not on men

Researcher Duncan Smith said: 'Many believe certain colours cheer them up, wind them up or calm them down, make them feel happier or sadder, lazier or more energetic.

'The purpose of this study was to discover the extent to which such beliefs are based on solid, scientific evidence or are no more than old wives' tales.'

Mr Smith, who has taken to wearing brightly-coloured socks since conducting the study, advised us all to inject a bit of colour into our lives.

He said: 'Our homes were covered in bright colour and light over Christmas and we now need something to go in its place.

'It might be that you put on a pair of red socks or wear that new lipstick or buy some pot plants.'

Dr David Lewis, joint founder of the Mind Lab, said: 'Dreary winter days can have a seriously negative effect on the psyche.

'The greyer the weather, the greater the risk of it leaving us down in the dumps.

'This study has shown that simply by introducing more colour into our lives at this time of the year, we could help banish the winter blues.'

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1106236/Feeling-blue-Good-news--colour-happiness.html