Chapter 2
DISCUSSION
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF SPECIFIC
COLORS
Our
surroundings can also play a big part with the actions and the emotions that we
portray in our daily lives. We may not
feel it, but we react differently from one place to another, and it is of big
chance that the place’s color is the one inflicting the emotion that we have. Colors
are divided into 2 categories: the cool colors composed of blue, green and
purple; and the warm colors composed of orange, red and yellow. Cool colors
emphasize calmness, indifference or sadness, while the warm colors evoke more
on the feelings of comfort and warmth to anger and hostility.
The color
purple is fit for the creative minds for it balances the utilization of the
colors blue and red in order for stimulation and serenity to result in
creativity. Next are the colors blue and green that portrays the feeling of
rest. Applying a scientific basis, the color green, once it hits the retina,
signals less strain to the eye muscles. On the other hand, blue decreases
respiration and lowers blood pressure, making it more appropriate to a place
wherein time is consumed a lot. Furthermore, if you want to stimulate your
senses, the researcher suggests that you use the warm colors of orange and
yellow. However, it has a negative effect on the eyes if exposed too much which causes eye irritation.
PURPLE SHOULD BE THE FITNESS COLOR
There
are actually lots of colors that can be associated with physical fitness, but
the color purple stands out for it bears creativity and motivation in it.
According
to the book-based article “The 8 Colors
of Fitness” written by Suzanne Brue,
“Purples are
attracted to variety and experiment with different approaches from time to
time, but are soon drawn back to exercise they can make routine. They prefer a
consistent approach to exercise. Once exercise takes on an established pattern,
Purples comfortably maintain that routine. As natural planners, they’ll easily
pack their gym bag to prepare for their personal needs before and after their
workout. They take advantage and enjoy the amenities of a well-appointed
club—all part of the routine.”
It
is assured that if purple is used as the color for fitness rooms such as gyms,
the way on how people do their exercises will make a change. If they are used
to changing their exercises every other day, there is a big chance of them being
more driven to a certain fitness plan that they are working on. Whenever this
occurs, focus comes in which leads to the mental zone. One’s creativity will be
encountered and a sense of “me, myself
and I” time will be established.
In some
cases, this color cannot be applied. For instance, in the article “The Best Colors to Paint an Exercise Room”
by Amy Morin, it is indicated that:
“If your
exercise room consists mostly of weight lifting equipment, consider painting
the room blue. Tranquil shades of blue produce calming chemicals in the body.
The color blue increases people's productivity and research shows weight
lifters lift heavier weights in blue rooms. Studies have also shown that the
color blue suppresses people's appetites.”
This only means that if you are about to have your own weight
room, it does not mean that you have to be aggressive to have 6 pack abs and be
considered macho. It is best to use blue for its wall color. There is nothing
wrong with having another color for it, but try to consider the fact that is
also substantiated with research. The bluer the wall the weight room has, the
more weights a lifter can lift.
CLASSROOM WALLS SHOULD BE BLUE OR GREEN
Choosing the right color for a classroom wall is just like painting on a
canvas, one needs to have the right colors for that area. Teachers seldom think
that the student’s performance is based on his ability to internalize what was
discussed and to put it into speaking or writing. But this is just part of the
process; the room’s color plays a part. Way back when we were in elementary, we
like to be in bright-colored classrooms which are the opposite of being in high
school and college; we are distracted by these. What we prefer now are neutral-colored
classrooms for better mental stimulation.
From
the article “Classroom Wall Colors and
How They Impact Learning” written by Deborah O’Banion, it was stated that:
“Red colors
can enhance learning by energizing students and making them more attentive to
trying to avoid mistakes. It causes them to be more attentive to details. While
that is great for many tasks, red does not invoke much creativity.
Additionally, it has been linked to more dominating behavior such as aggression.
Blue colors can invoke a calm relaxed feeling and can make students more open
to new ideas. Yellows and oranges can also increase creative energy. On the
other hand, white and off-white shades can be boring and make students more
restless. White can also cause frustration.”
Red,
if used as a classroom wall color, will show a negative impact. It affects
students in a way that they will be more prone to aggression. Also, it is
advised that whenever examinations are to be held, this color should be avoided
for it brings confusion and less focus to the student’s mind. Conversely, the
color blue indicates openness for new and fresh ideas. In the same way, green
gives a relaxing feeling to anyone who sees it. So if you ever feel that you are
having hard time learning, try shifting to these cool colors, and see the
difference that it makes. But why is it that white walls are frequently seen
inside classrooms rather than the blue ones? Well, it has been said that having
white walls will not do any harm, but it will not do any advancement for the improvement
of the student’s performance.
RED SHOULD BE FOR WEIGHT LOSS
From the article “Color Therapy
for Weight Loss” written by Sarah Dray, it was said that:
“The color red
increases appetite and shouldn't be used in your kitchen. However, according to
Lightstreamers, red also increases metabolism, so it might be a good addition
to your weight loss program. To include the color red in your weight loss
program without tying it to foods, you could make red solarized water. This is
done by wrapping a clear glass with red cellophane paper and putting the glass
in the sunlight. After a few hours, the water will be energized with the color
red and ready to drink.”
According
to a research done by the BHIA Organization, colors affect the pituitary gland,
which is located at the base of the brain, which greatly targets one’s
metabolism. Also, it has been said that the following study is not applicable
to all, but mostly affects the majority.
Orange, red
and yellow are known and believed to boost appetite. This is very evident with
some of the famous fast-food chains and restaurants around. Most of them use
these colors as their motif not only for their logos but also for their
interiors and presentation of their food. However, too much exposure to these
colors when eating will yield a negative effect after some time. Moreover, the
color red speeds up appetite and at the same time speed up metabolism. If you
are health conscious, red is the health color for you. This can be done with
the use of solarized water which is attained after leaving a glass of water
covered with red cellophane paper under sunlight for a number of hours then
drinking it with the use of a straw or applying it to the affected area.
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