HOW TO USE COLOUR TO ENHANCE YOUR LIFE

Colour affects our mood and energy, so it makes sense to dress for success by using the science behind colour therapy when putting your outfit together.

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Some colours are energising and some promote serenity. Some aid focus and concentration, while others can help lift a low mood. There are also colours that boost creativity or calm anxiety. With so many colours to choose from, here are our top tips for using colour in your wardrobe – and home – for wellness, balance and to help you live your best life.

Related article: How colour affects your mood



RED
Feeling a little tired? Look no further than fiery, stimulating red to give you an energy boost. Whether it’s a pair of shoes, a jacket or that summer dress, red is a bold and sexy colour.



BLUE
Blue is the colour of water and clear skies, and invokes feelings of coolness and serenity. So, if you’re feeling a bit anxious or nervous, cloak yourself in soothing blue. It’s also the colour of communication, so use it to your advantage when you’re going for an interview, or any time you need to express yourself well.



YELLOW
Wear this colour if you’re feeling a bit blue. A colour synonymous with the sun and cheerful sunflowers, yellow inspires feelings of happiness and evokes memories of sunny days. It can also help boost concentration if you have a hard day of work or study ahead.



PURPLE
If your creative juices aren’t flowing, purple is your go-to. ‘Purple is the colour to wear when you have an in-house meeting,’ said Kenny Frimpong of Italian menswear brand Eredi Pisano in a Business Insider interview.



HUES FOR YOUR HOME
Your surroundings can also influence your emotional and mental wellbeing. Richard J Wurtman, a nutritionist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said in The New York Times, ‘Several experiments have shown that different colours affect blood pressure, pulse and respiration rates as well as brain activity and biorhythms.’ So it makes sense to use colour to the best advantage in your home.

• Consider blue for a calming and soothing effect in your bedroom or meditation space.
• White is great for making spaces appear bigger and brighter, and it invokes feelings of cleanliness and purity. Add touches of green and yellow to make the space feel less clinical.
• Use brown to create feelings of warmth, comfort and safety. This earthy tone is deeply tied to nature and is mostly a favourite among men. Add touches of grey, yellow, and blue to harmonise the space and prevent it from feeling too intense.

There are many different variations of the colours mentioned here. Choose those that your senses respond to, and customise your space and wardrobe to your needs. You’ll be surprised how much good that will do you.

Related article: Create a calm living space