The Power of Colour to Uplift and Boost Our Mental Health
As someone who spends her days immersed in colour, I’ve long been fascinated by how different shades affect the way we feel. There’s something undeniably uplifting about standing in front of a burst of yellow, or seeing the way light dances through a splash of cerulean blue. But beyond instinct and emotion, there’s real science behind why colour can have such a powerful effect on our mental wellbeing.
How Colour Affects Mood
Colour psychology explores how different hues can influence our thoughts and feelings. For instance, research shows that warmer colours — like red, orange and yellow — tend to evoke energy, warmth and positivity. Cooler tones, such as blues and greens, are often linked with calmness and tranquillity.
Inner Peace - greens, lilacs and purples form a soothing and tranquil combination.
Interestingly, studies have found that people exposed to vibrant colours tend to report higher levels of happiness and stimulation, while dull or grey environments can lead to reduced energy and even sadness. It’s something many of us instinctively understand: we reach for bright colours when we want to feel more alive.
Nature as a Colour Therapist
So much of our emotional response to colour comes from nature. Think of a spring meadow filled with wildflowers, or the golden warmth of a late summer sunset — these experiences naturally soothe us, often without us even realising it. There’s a growing body of research around the restorative power of nature, and colour plays a big role in that. Being surrounded by natural colour helps reduce stress and improve focus, which might be why we’re drawn to bringing those hues into our homes.
Colour in Creative Practice
In my own creative process, colour is often the starting point. I rarely plan out a painting in detail — instead, I’m guided by the emotional pull of certain shades. One day it might be joyful pinks and fiery oranges, the next a more serene palette of lilac and soft green. There’s a kind of freedom in letting colour lead the way — and often, the mood I’m in finds its way onto the canvas whether I plan for it or not.
For me, painting is a way to process, reflect, and reconnect. It’s about letting the colour do the talking — and sometimes, it says things more clearly than words ever could.
Carnival with its warm hues was created with a spirit of fun and spontaneity
A Note About Kandinsky
This connection between colour and feeling was something that fascinated artist Wassily Kandinsky too. He experienced a rare condition called synaesthesia, where the senses cross over — Kandinsky could actually hear colour and see music. For him, colour had sound, rhythm, and emotional tone. He believed that a painting could be as moving as a symphony — and that colour itself held spiritual power.
W. Kandinsky, 1909 - 'Murnau - Landscape with Green House'
I find that so inspiring. It’s a beautiful reminder that colour isn't just something we see — it's something we feel in our whole body.
A Gentle Invitation to Notice
You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy the emotional benefits of colour. Simply noticing the shades that lift your spirits can be powerful. Is it the green of fresh leaves on your morning walk? The turquoise of a treasured bowl on your windowsill? The peachy pink of a flower in bloom? These small bursts of colour can become touchpoints of joy — little reminders that beauty exists, even on the greyest days.
In a world that can sometimes feel heavy, colour offers us a gentle, visual reminder that there is always light to be found.