Colors can have a powerful impact on human psychology and behavior. Certain colors, known as “cool colors”, tend to evoke calm, relaxing, and peaceful responses. In this article, we will explore what defines cool colors, provide examples, and discuss how they are believed to impact human psychology.
What are cool colors?
In color theory, “cool colors” refer to hues ranging from blue, green, and violet to their various shades. They are called “cool” because they evoke impressions of coolness, calm, and tranquility. This contrasts with “warm colors” like red, orange, and yellow which are energizing and evoke feelings of warmth.
Cool colors include:
- Blues – navy, azure, cyan, etc.
- Greens – forest, mint, emerald, etc.
- Violets/Purples – lavender, lilac, plum, etc.
- Some shades of gray
In the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color model, the cool colors reside on the green-blue-violet axis while warm colors are on the red-orange-yellow axis. However, modern color theory uses the RGB (red, green, blue) and CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) models where exact hue definitions differ slightly.
Examples of cool colors
Here are some classic examples of cool colors:
| Color | RGB Code |
|---|---|
| Navy blue | #000080 |
| Royal blue | #4169E1 |
| Sky blue | #87CEEB |
| Aqua | #00FFFF |
| Teal | #008080 |
| Forest green | #228B22 |
| Sea green | #2E8B57 |
| Light green | #90EE90 |
| Lavender | #E6E6FA |
| Purple | #800080 |
| Indigo | #4B0082 |
Shades of blue and green are the most common cool colors, but violets like lavender and lilac also have a cooling effect.
How do cool colors impact psychology?
Research has found that cool colors tend to have a calming, relaxing effect on the mind and body. Some of the psychological impacts linked to cool colors include:
- Lowered blood pressure and pulse rate – Studies show people’s systolic blood pressure drops when seeing cool blue and green hues. This helps induce relaxation.
- Reduced stress and anxiety – Cool colors are soothing and seem to actually lower stress hormone levels like cortisol.
- Improved focus – Cool hues aid concentration and are linked to greater productivity compared to warm colors.
- Stabilized mood – Cool greens and blues evoke steadiness rather than intensity of feeling. They can lift depression.
- Restful sleep – Natural cool colors like blue sky and green grass support deeper, more restorative sleep.
The mechanisms behind these effects are not fully proven, but likely involve activation of the parasympathetic nervous system which regulates rest, relaxation, and digestion.
Applications of cool colors in psychology
Understanding the unique effects of cool colors allows psychologists and designers to strategically employ them for various purposes including:
- Therapy and healing – Psychologists often recommend surrounding oneself with cool blue or green hues to reduce anxiety, depression, and anger issues.
- Interior design – Cool colors used in homes, hospitals, spas, and offices provide a relaxing ambiance.
- Branding – Cool colors evoke calm, trust, and consistency in corporate branding and packaging.
- Improving focus – Workspaces, computer screens, and study areas benefit from cool hues that reduce eye strain while improving concentration and productivity.
- Appetite suppression – Since cool greens and blues are not stimulating, they can curb appetite when used strategically in restaurants, packages, etc.
When designing spaces, products, or experiences, strategists should consider the psychological effects of color schemes and temperature.
Gender differences in perceiving cool colors
Studies reveal some subtle gender differences in response to cool hues:
- Women tend to favor cooler colors across all age groups.
- Men prefer slightly warmer shades until later adulthood when their preferences match women’s.
- Blue and green are universally favored by both genders.
- Women rate feelings evoked by cool greens and blues higher than men in terms of relaxation, romance, and sensitivity.
This may be because women are socially conditioned to be more emotionally expressive while men suppress feeling states. But on the whole, cool colors provoke similar effects across gender.
Cultural and geographical differences
Color psychology also has roots in culture and geography. For instance:
- Blue is widely preferred across cultures as it relates to water, sky, and constancy.
- Green rates very high in China, Egypt, and Islamic cultures due to its association with vegetation and life.
- Predominantly warm climates show greater appreciation of cool hues that evoke cooling sensations.
- Violet is regal in western cultures but white is viewed as deathly in Eastern cultures.
These examples demonstrate why cool color meanings can vary slightly between regions. But the universal biological calming response remains constant.
Conclusion
Cool colors ranging from tranquil blues to soothing greens and purples have a powerful relaxing effect. By reducing stress, stabilizing mood, and improving focus, they produce measurable psychological and biological effects. Interior designers, marketers, psychologists, and other professionals purposefully utilize cool hues for desired outcomes. Overall, cool colors provide a both figurative and literal “cooling off” influence on the human mind and body.