Colors can have a significant impact on our moods and motivation levels. Certain colors are known to energize, inspire and uplift us, while others can leave us feeling drained or depressed. As we go about our busy lives, we don’t often stop to consider how the colors around us are affecting our productivity and mindset.
The Psychology of Color
The psychology of color is a fascinating field of study. It looks at how different colors influence our emotions, behaviors and physiological responses. Color doesn’t just affect our visual sense, it has implications for our whole body and mind.
Research has shown that color can impact things like pulse, blood pressure, respiration rates and brain activity. It’s also been found to influence our perceptions, moods, productivity and alertness levels. This is why many companies put careful thought into the colors they use in their branding, marketing and office environments.
So when it comes to motivation and getting things done, color matters. Certain hues will give you an energizing boost, while others can leave you feeling tranquil or even drained. Let’s explore some of the best and worst colors for motivation.
The Best Colors for Motivation
Here are some of the top colors for giving you a productivity and motivation boost:
Red
Red is stimulating and excites our senses. It raises our pulse and gets the blood flowing. When we see red, we feel energized and ready for action. It’s associated with vitality, passion, confidence and ambition. Bright, vibrant red is perfect when you need a shot of energy to tackle big tasks. Just be aware that too much red can also cause anxiety or agitation.
Orange
Like red, orange is an energetic, vibrant hue. It represents enthusiasm, determination and success. Orange boosts creativity and mental acuity, so it’s helpful for problem-solving. It’s also often associated with social communication and interaction. Surrounding yourself with orange can increase optimism when working on challenging goals.
Yellow
Yellow stimulates the left side of our brains, helping with logical thinking and organization. It’s cheerful and uplifting, speeding up metabolism and triggering spontaneity. Yellow boosts vitality and self-esteem, perfect when you need a confidence boost. It supports focus and concentration, making it a good color for productive mental tasks. However, too much yellow can cause anxiety.
Green
Green is the most restful color for our eyes and minds. It relieves stress and promotes healing. The color of nature, green gives us balance and harmony. It combats anxiety, depression and negativity. Exposure to green can enhance focus and productivity. It also boosts self-esteem and encourages growth. Surround yourself with green when you want calming motivation.
Blue
While not as energetic as some other colors, blue promotes productivity and concentration. It has a calming effect that reduces stress and relaxes the mind. Blue inspires peace, tranquility and stability. It has been found to enhance problem-solving abilities. Lighter blues are ideal for creative inspiration, while darker blues can aid focus.
Colors to Avoid When Seeking Motivation
On the other hand, some colors are real motivation killers. Here are hues you’ll want to avoid when trying to get pumped up:
Purple
Purple is associated with creativity and imagination, but it’s not an energizing color. Too much purple can promote daydreaming and impractical thinking. It can be meditative in moderation, but also lead to listlessness. Light purples are more uplifting than darker, muted shades.
Grey
Grey is subdued, modest and boring. It dampens enthusiasm and vitality. Too much grey promotes gloom, depression and sadness. It can sap your energy and prevent you from feeling inspired. Grey spaces are unlikely to get you fired up to tackle your to-do list.
Brown
Like grey, brown is a dull, low energy color. It promotes comfort and relaxation, potentially to the point of lethargy. Brown can make you feel sluggish and uninspired. It’s associated with heaviness, lack of excitement and melancholy. Too much brown will suck the motivation right out of you.
How to Use Color to Increase Motivation
Now that you know which colors encourage productivity and motivation and which ones promote the opposite, here are some tips for harnessing the power of color:
Wear energizing colors. Start your day by getting dressed in vibrant, uplifting hues like red, yellow or orange. Avoid dressing in all grey, brown or black.
Add pops of color. Inject energizing accents into your office space with brightly colored desk accessories, art, flowers or decorations.
Paint or decorate using vibrant colors. If allowed, paint feature walls or murals in motivating colors. Hang art or posters incorporating invigorating hues.
Use color-coded organization systems. Assign each project or category a specific color code. Seeing the colors will help energize you to tackle associated tasks.
Drink from a brightly colored water bottle or mug. Staying hydrated is key for energy and drinking from an inspiring colored vessel can give added motivation.
Diffuse essential oils matched to energizing colors. For example, diffuse a citrus oil in a yellow or orange diffuser. Match scents with colors for added effect.
Light candles in motivating colors. Burning a red or orange candle nearby can boost motivation as you work. Just be cautious of open flames around paper.
Eat foods that match energizing colors. For example, eat tomatoes, apples or grapes to get the benefits of red and green. A salad with mixed colors is ideal.
Choosing Your Power Color
We each have colors that resonate more strongly with our individual personalities and preferences. Follow these tips to identify your personal power color for motivation:
Take a color personality quiz. There are many fun online quizzes designed to reveal your color personality type. See if the results match your intuition.
Pay attention to the colors you’re drawn to. Make note if you consistently pick certain colored clothes, decor items or supplies. Our color preferences are clues.
Look at colors already dominating your space. The hues already surrounding you likely match your color affinities. Lean into those existing hues for maximum effect.
Think about your emotions tied to different colors. If particular hues evoke positive memories or lift your mood, those may be your power colors.
Conduct experiments. Spend time surrounded by different colors and observe the impacts on your motivation and mood. See which have the most positive, energizing effects.
Consider color meanings. Does a particular color’s symbolism or meaning resonate with your personality? For example, yellow if you’re optimistic.
Once you’ve identified your personal power color or colors, look for ways to increase those hues in your home, office and personal belongings. Let the colors you’re drawn to guide your selections and brighten your environment.
Conclusion
Color can be a simple yet impactful tool for instantly boosting motivation, productivity and alertness. Strategically using the most energizing, uplifting hues in your surroundings can help you power through busy days with enhanced focus and concentration. Pay attention to how different colors affect you and make small tweaks to your environment for a vibrant mood lift. With the psychology of color on your side, you’ll be ready to tackle your to-do list feeling inspired.