Have you ever noticed how often we associate colours with emotions? 

We talk about feeling blue when we're sad, seeing red when we're angry, turning green with envy, or viewing life through rose-coloured glasses when we're feeling optimistic. These connections are so deeply embedded in our language that it's natural to wonder whether colours really can influence the way we feel. 

While colour isn't a cure for illness, research suggests that it can affect our mood, behaviour and even how we experience different environments. This idea forms the basis of colour therapy, a complementary wellbeing practice that uses colour to encourage certain emotional responses. 

So how does colour therapy work, and could adding more colour to your daily life help you feel calmer, happier or more energised? 

What Is Colour Therapy? 

Colour therapy, also known as chromotherapy, is a complementary wellbeing practice based on the idea that different colours can influence our emotions and mental state. 

Some practitioners connect colour therapy with the concept of chakras, or energy centres within the body, with each chakra traditionally associated with a particular colour. Others take a more psychological approach, focusing on how colours affect mood, attention and perception. 

Although scientific evidence for colour therapy itself remains limited, researchers have long studied how colours influence human behaviour and emotions. For example, colour is often used intentionally in healthcare settings, workplaces, marketing and interior design because of its ability to shape how people feel within a space. 

Rather than viewing colour as a treatment, it may be more helpful to think of it as one of many tools that can help create an environment that supports wellbeing. 

Can Colours Really Affect Mood? 

There is growing evidence that colours can influence how we feel and behave. 

One well-known example is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to reduced exposure to natural light during the winter months. Light therapy is commonly used to help manage symptoms, demonstrating the important role that light can play in regulating mood. 

Researchers have also explored how different colours affect emotions, concentration and perception. While responses vary from person to person and can be influenced by culture and personal experience, certain colour associations appear consistently across studies. 

This doesn't mean that simply wearing a particular colour will transform your mood overnight. However, the colours that surround us may subtly influence how we feel throughout the day. 

What Different Colours Are Commonly Associated With? 

Red: Energy and Confidence

Red is often associated with strength, passion and vitality. It's an attention-grabbing colour that can create feelings of excitement, motivation and confidence. 

Many people choose red when they want to make a bold impression, whether that's during a presentation, a job interview or a special occasion. 

Yellow: Optimism and Creativity 

Yellow is frequently linked with happiness, positivity and creativity. Bright and uplifting, it can bring warmth and energy to a room or outfit. 

Adding touches of yellow to your surroundings may help create a cheerful atmosphere, particularly during darker months of the year. 

Blue: Calm and Focus 

Blue is often considered one of the most calming colours. It's commonly associated with trust, stability and mental clarity. 

Because of these qualities, blue is often used in offices, healthcare environments and bedrooms to encourage focus and relaxation. 

Green: Balance and Renewal 

As the colour most closely associated with nature, green is often linked with balance, growth and restoration. 

Many people find green environments relaxing, which may help explain why spending time in parks, gardens and natural spaces can feel so refreshing. 

Pink: Comfort and Compassion 

Pink is commonly associated with kindness, warmth and emotional comfort. Soft shades can create a nurturing atmosphere and are often used in spaces designed for relaxation and self-care. 

Simple Ways to Add More Colour to Your Day 

One of the best things about colour therapy is how easy it is to experiment with. 

Through Your Clothing 

Colour can be a simple way to express how you're feeling — or how you'd like to feel.

• • Choose red when you want to feel confident and energised. 
  • Wear yellow to add a cheerful touch to your day. 
  • Opt for blue when you want a calm, polished look. 
  • Incorporate green for a fresh and balanced feel. 
  • Add pink when you're seeking comfort and softness.

Through Your Home 

The colours in your surroundings can have a surprisingly powerful impact on the atmosphere of a space.

Try:

• • Blue tones in bedrooms and reading spaces. 
  • Green plants and botanical prints throughout the home. 
  • Yellow accents in kitchens and dining areas. 
  • Pink accessories in cosy relaxation corners. 
  • Red statement pieces in social spaces where you want energy and warmth.

Through Nature 

One of the simplest ways to experience the benefits associated with colour is to spend more time outdoors. 

The greens of trees and plants, the blue of the sky and the bright colours of seasonal flowers can all contribute to a sense of connection, calm and wellbeing. 

Through Jewellery and Accessories 

Jewellery offers an easy way to incorporate colours that resonate with you into your everyday life. 

Whether you gravitate towards calming blues, energising reds or balancing greens, colourful accessories can be a meaningful form of self-expression and a daily reminder of how you want to feel. 

Choosing Colourful Medical Jewellery 

For people living with a medical condition, medical alert jewellery is something that may be worn every day. As well as providing important medical information in an emergency, it can also be an opportunity to choose a colour that reflects your personality and style. 

Whether you're drawn to calming blues, uplifting yellows or vibrant reds, selecting a colour you genuinely enjoy can help make your medical jewellery feel like a natural part of your everyday wardrobe. 

Final Thoughts 

While colour therapy shouldn't be viewed as a replacement for medical treatment, many people find that colour can have a meaningful impact on how they experience their environment and express themselves. 

From the clothes we wear to the spaces we live in, colour surrounds us every day. Experimenting with different shades can be a simple and enjoyable way to create an environment that feels more energising, calming or uplifting — whatever you need most.

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