Feeling blah? Put some red roses on the hall table. Slip on a red sweater and go get some big apples…because colorful paint, plants, fabrics and food can inspire us and positively affect our mood. However, not everyone gets uplifted by red though. Our reactions to color are often individualistic. Have you asked yourself what your favorite color is lately? It may have changed. Surround yourself with the colors you love and your outlook should improve. 

Add color to your home. Painting a room or changing a neutral, white wall is a fun way to put extra color in your environment. If you combine colors, make them complementary. And if your goal is to brighten, be careful in the bedroom. You don’t want the color to energize you when you are trying to relax. If you would rather not lug out the paint roller, place colored pieces such as pillows, vases, and paintings into the mix.

Add color to your closet. Many designers offer plenty of traditional black, brown and white, especially for fall and winter. If you work in an office, you may dress in conservative colors. Look for a few pieces that take you away from this trend, yet enhance your coloring. A violet shirt can lift your spirits, and supposedly calm your appetite too. If you love a color, you will probably love the way it looks on you.


Here are some general aspects of several colors:

Rev up with Red
Red, orange and the brighter violets are colors considered to be energy-lifters and attention-getters. A red dress may turn more heads than a black one in the same style. For the home, the colors can be used in small amounts but never where you want calm.

Be at Peace with Blue
Sea and sky blues tend to calm us and reduce our stress. If your bedroom is your haven, add some blue – the color of harmony. Be careful, darker blues may make you too mellow. Soft pinks and lavenders also are calming.

Yeah for Yellow!
Yellow may be the mood lifter you are looking for since it reminds us of sunshine. It’s also a color that gains people’s attention in society (think sticky note). Bright yellow is linked to fun and youth in many of our minds; but it can fit into the workday in paler shades.

Go for Green.
If your energy has been low, eat something green and then perhaps wear a shade of this nature-oriented color. Since it is a sign of spring, it may perk up your spirits. Many people equate this color with renewal, both in season and in finances. Like blues, soft greens can be calming.