We often find ourselves in search of the answers to the questions we have about the world. One of the questions that can cross our minds relates to the role of color on how we focus, how motivated we are and the level of intelligence we possess.
It is not uncommon to ask ourselves if certain colors can in fact make us smarter, and if that is the case, what color should we wear when studying or need to perform a complex task.
1: What Does the Research Say?
Many people have a strong emotional association to color in general, so it is only natural to assume that the color of our environment influences our behavior. But the truth of the matter is that the supposed correlation between color and brain power is still quite controversial, as most of the research on the topic have yielded inconsistent results.
One study by the Pantone Color Institute backs this fact up, showing that color does not in fact increase intelligence, but it does affect cognitive performance in certain areas. The study was carried out on a hundred people from around the world and it concluded that individuals who spent time surrounded by green surroundings saw an improvement in reading comprehension tests, while individuals exposed to white surroundings scored higher in math tests. However, it has to be said that while being exposed to a certain color may give rise to certain associations and improved performance in certain tasks, it did not significantly change the intellectual capabilities of individuals tested as a whole.
2: Do Colors Affect Our Focus?
When it comes to colors, what we tend to focus on the most is how they affect our productivity and attention. It is generally accepted that colors can help us stay focused and concentrate on the tasks at hand.
A study conducted by New York University’s Human Performance Lab indicated that exposure to red increases focus, as it triggers the secretion of the hormone cortisol, associated with increased alertness and focus. On the other hand, blue tones appear to have a calming effect on the mind and body, reducing cortisol levels and helping people relax. A great tip is to combine red tones in our working space with blue tones in our leisure space, in order to keep our cortisol levels balanced and get the most out of our environment.
3: Colors and Mood
Color is also closely associated with our emotions and moods. Seeing as colors have the power to influence the way we feel, one great way to live a more balanced life is to use colors to our advantage in order to help improve our mood and bring us peace of mind.
For instance, bright colors tend to stimulate our senses and bring direct energy, while colors like light purple, pink, and beige can reduce anxiety and loneliness, thereby improving the overall quality of our mood. Furthermore, colors like orange and yellow are known to increase enthusiasm and motivation.
4: Creating the Right Environment
The colors present in our environment can have a major impact on how we feel and how productive we are, so it is key to create an environment that works for us. When it comes to learning, research from the University of Real Estate Management has shown that colors can be either beneficial or detrimental to the learning process. For instance, some colors like pink and blue, who illicits ease, can be great for calming the brain and allowing our minds to rest and process information more efficiently.
On the other hand, colors like red and yellow, which tend to be more stimulating, can be used in our work environment to boost focus and performance.
5: Color Therapy
Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, is an emerging field of healing that uses the properties of color to harmonize the body, mind and spirit. It is a science that uses different frequencies and vibrations of the visible spectrum to evoke healing energy. Color therapy is based on the premise that each color carries a frequency that resonates with the different energy frequencies of our physical and emotional bodies and when used in particular combinations, these colors can heal and restore balance.
Color has been used for centuries to alleviate certain physical and mental ailments, and can also be used to help increase cognitive abilities, focus and improve our overall mental clarity.
6: Power of Visualization
When it comes to being able to perform complex tasks, the power of visualization through color can be of great help. It has been demonstrated that if we are able to associating a color to something, our memory of it will be enhanced.
This is especially true if the color is unusual or doesn’t usually come to mind when thinking of that particular thing. For instance, you can use the color blue to remember the number 5, or the color green to remember the number By doing so, you can quickly recall information and facts.
Furthermore, this process can also help making abstract concepts easier to understand, so that they can be better retained and recalled when needed.
7: Colors and Learning
Studies have shown that the use of colors in learning can be of great help, as it helps make the learning process more visual and aids in the absorption of information. It appears that using colors in the learning process helps to stimulate the brain which enables us to better retain the information and use it more effectively. Colors can also be used to organize information, by using distinct colors for each topic or subject.
It is also said that writing in different colored pens enhances the cognitive connection to information, thereby making information easier to recall during tests and exams.
8: Enhancing Memory
Colors can also be used to help boost our memories. One way of doing so is by creating visual cues in our mind that are associated with the color.
This can be done by associating a particular color with a task or object, so that it can be easily recalled. It is important to note that this works best when using unexpected or unusual colors, so rather than using the most common color for each task, it is better to choose different colors for each task. This will help to create vivid visual cues that will be easier to recall.
9: Color Psychology
Color psychology is the study of how colors influence our thoughts, feelings and behavior. It is based on the idea that different colors evoke different moods, and our mental state can be improved by consciously choosing to surround ourselves with the right colors. For instance, yellow is a color that is associated with happiness and optimism, while blue is often associated with trust, depth and stability.
Knowing the emotional associations to certain colors can help to use these colors to our advantage, and use them whenever possible to make us feel brighter and more productive.
10: Brainwave Patterns
It has been widely accepted that certain colors often induce certain brainwave patterns. For instance, red is known to enhance alpha waves, which are needed for problem solving and creativity. Green is said to increase the activity of Beta waves, which help promote alertness and focus, while blue is said to reduce stress and anxiety.
Incorporating these colors in our learning environments can be of great help to promote the kind of brainwave patterns needed for enhanced learning, focus and cognitive abilities. Furthermore, these colors can also be used in therapy to help restore mental balance and reduce physical and mental stress.
11: Color Preferences
Not everybody has the same color preferences, so it is important to find the color that works best for you. While some people feel more energetic in red-toned surroundings and more relaxed in green-toned ones, others might feel the reverse effect of those colors and have a better time in the opposite environment. It is all a matter of experimenting and finding the one that produces the most optimal results for your particular needs.
12: Colors In Your Wardrobe
Understanding the psychological effects of color can help inform what kind of clothing you choose to wear when trying to focus on certain tasks. Wearing the wrong colored outfit can be distracting and impede productivity.
On the other hand, wearing one that is helpful for the task can make us feel more in tune with what we are doing. So strive to choose clothing items that represent the color that best supports the activity you are engaging in. But most importantly, make sure the clothing item is comfortable and makes you feel empowered.
13: Final Thoughts
In conclusion, it is important to understand that color is a powerful tool that can have a great influence on how we interact with the world. We can use color to increase focus, reduce anxiety and stress, and boost our cognitive abilities. We can use color therapy to restore mental and emotional balance, and use it around us to create a calming and productive environment.
Color can also be used to remember facts and information, as well as to make abstract concepts easier to understand and less intimidating. Most importantly, try to find the color that works best for you and makes you feel empowered!