🌈 The Psychology Of Color: How Colors Influence Mood And Behavior


Hey Reader,

Welcome back to Living Better—your ultimate guide to living more meaningfully, packed with actionable insights, captivating stories, and evidence-backed wisdom.

Ever walked into a room and immediately felt calmer or more energized, just because of its color? Well, there's some fascinating science behind that!

Today, we're adding a little color to our understanding of the world and diving into the world of color psychology and how the hues around us shape our moods and behaviors.


Today's Sneak Peek...



Long-Form Reads

MEET TONI, the photographer who captured the compelling moment this groom first saw color.

“Ty kept saying, ‘WAIT! You guys get to see this everyday!?’ I think of that moment often, what I take for granted..."

MEET JESS, the mom explaining why she lets her daughter dress herself.

“Autonomy is the freedom to choose for yourself. With each successful decision we make using our autonomy, we build self-confidence..."

MEET TINA, the woman doing away with dyes and normalizing embracing gray hair.

“Going silver is a bold commitment to make, especially in the media-drenched market of ‘our hair color determines our age'..."

MEET ASHLEY, the mom sharing her interracial adoption journey.

“She would ask, ‘How come I’m this color and you’re brown?’ Black or white, it didn’t matter. I was her mama..."

MEET ELIZABETH, the writer sharing the 10 best self-care adult coloring books.

“Coloring can be a great activity to help you relax; it slows the mind down and requires just enough focus to become a meditative activity..."

MEET MAVERICK, the boy who made a prom dress for his sister when she couldn't afford one.

“I felt disheartened seeing my sister worrying about not being able to experience prom. I wanted to make her wish come true..."


The Kaleidoscope Of Emotions: Color Psychology Unveiled

According to science, the colors we surround ourselves with do more than just decorate our world. From our feelings to our decisions, color can affect how we experience our daily lives.

➣ A Palette Of Feelings

Blue: Often brings a sense of calm and serenity. (Think about the last time you were in a room with blue walls. Did you feel more relaxed?)

Red: A color of energy and passion. It can increase heart rate and create a sense of urgency. (Ever noticed it’s the color of choice for clearance sales?)

Green: Associated with nature and tranquility; it’s known to reduce anxiety. (Consider the peace you feel in a lush, green park.)

➣ Colorful Impacts

It's not just about aesthetics; colors can influence everything from our mental health to our buying habits. Here are three key impacts:

  1. Productivity and Creativity: Different colors can enhance various aspects of our work and creativity. Yellow, for instance, is said to stimulate creativity.
  2. Marketing and Branding: Ever wondered why many social media platforms use blue? It’s seen as trustworthy and reliable.
  3. Personal Well-being: Choosing the right colors for your living space can profoundly impact your mood and stress levels.

Quote

"Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions."

- Pablo Picasso


Adding Color To Your World: Practical Tips

  1. Mindful Wardrobe Choices: Pay attention to the colors you wear. Bright colors might lift your mood on a dull day.
  2. Colorful Diet: Even the colors of the food we eat can impact our mood. A vibrant, colorful plate is not only healthier but also more satisfying.
  3. Home Palette: Consider a fresh coat of paint in your home or office in shades that reflect the mood you want to create.

Refer Friends, Earn Rewards!

Want to support Living Better and earn some seriously cool rewards? Refer your friends to subscribe by using your custom referral link below:

[RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

You have referred [RH_TOTREF GOES HERE] people so far.


QUIZ: Which of the following statements is false?

1. Color can affect our decision-making
2. The color blue is associated with reliability
3. Wearing bright colors can lift our mood
4. Color only impacts aesthetics



Your Chromatic Challenge

This week, try to notice the colors around you—in nature, your home, workplace, or wardrobe. Reflect on how different colors affect your mood and behavior. Where do you need a splash of color the most?


Community Spotlight

Dive into heartwarming stories and inspiring journeys from fellow Living Better community members!

This week, we're highlighting Lalla's story:

"Sometimes, it takes a friend’s gentle reminder to make you pause and reflect on your own life.
A dear friend recently gave me advice that hit me right in the heart: 'Prioritize yourself, Lalla—not just the mom.'
I’ve spent so much of my life dedicated to being a mother, and a stay-at-home mom at that. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a role I cherish and am grateful for every day.
But somewhere along this incredible journey of raising my kids, I lost a part of myself.
My days started revolving entirely around the needs of my little ones, and it felt like there was hardly any time left for ‘me.’ I stopped caring about how I looked, and I forgot the simple joys of having some freedom.
Being a mom is a profound and beautiful experience, but it doesn’t mean I should completely lose my identity in the process. It’s time to remember that I am Lalla too, with passions, dreams, and desires that deserve to be nurtured and cherished.
So, I’m on a journey of self-redemption, a path to rediscover the woman I am outside of motherhood. It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but I owe it to myself and my family to be the best version of ‘me.’
I’m learning to strike a balance between being a loving mom and nurturing my own soul. It’s about self-care, self-love, and finding freedom within the beautiful chaos of motherhood.
This is a reminder to all the moms out there: You are incredible, you are selfless, but you are also ‘you.’ Never forget to prioritize yourself and your dreams."
- Lalla Linda, Living Better subscriber

Uplifting Newsletters We're Loving

Image for The Joyletter

The Joyletter

by Ingrid Fetell Lee

Designer, bestselling author, and founder of the School of Joy. I help people find more joy in life and work through design. Join more than 45,000 readers who receive our weekly treasure trove of science-backed tips, delightful discoveries, and inspiration for living a better life.

Image for The Kindred Letters: Join 525K Subscribers

The Kindred Letters: Join 525K Subscribers

by #1 NY Times bestselling author Susan Cain

For introverts, and all kindred spirits who prefer quiet to loud, depth to superficiality, and sensitivity to cool.

Image for Robert Glazer

Robert Glazer

5X Entrepreneur, 6 X Bestselling Author, Top 1% Podcast Host

Ready to reach your full potential in life and leadership? Join 80,000+ subscribers who follow my weekly and monthly newsletters. I am a serial entrepreneur, the #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of six books and host of a top 1% podcast on leadership, and personal growth. My passion is sharing ideas that help people and organizations grow.


POLL: How did you like today's newsletter?

​​​​​​⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑ I loved it!
⭑⭑⭑ It was good.
⭑ It needs improvement.

What are you loving? How can we improve? We want to hear from YOU.



Until next time, live well.

Unsubscribe · Preferences

© 2023 Love What Matters

Living Better

Your ultimate guide for captivating personal stories, actionable insights, and evidence-backed advice, propelling you toward a meaningful life. Join our community of 200,000+ readers!

Read more from Living Better

Hey Reader, Welcome back to Living Better—your trusted guide to finding peace, purpose, and happiness in our fast-paced world. We all have dreams and aspirations, but how often do those dreams remain just that—dreams? Enter the WOOP strategy: a science-backed method developed by psychologist Gabriele Oettingen that helps transform your vague ideas into tangible, achievable goals. WOOP stands for Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, and Plan—a simple yet powerful framework that bridges the gap between...

Hey Reader, Welcome back to Living Better—your trusted guide to finding peace, purpose, and happiness in our fast-paced world. Safety is a fundamental human desire. We buckle our seatbelts, install security systems, and seek out environments where we feel protected. But what if the very measures we take to keep ourselves safe actually lead us to take greater risks? This is the Peltzman Effect—a fascinating phenomenon where increased safety measures can lead to riskier behavior. "The greatest...

Hey Reader, Welcome back to Living Better—your trusted guide to finding peace, purpose, and happiness in our fast-paced world. We’ve all been there: the moment when you say something awkward, stumble over your words during a presentation, or wear something slightly out of the ordinary. Suddenly, it feels like all eyes are on you, and you can’t shake the feeling that everyone is judging your every move. This is the Spotlight Effect—a psychological phenomenon where we overestimate how much...