Page 46 - Life_In_Naples_Magazine_January_2015
P. 46
The
Significance
of Colors
in Our Lives
by Allen Weiss, MD, MBA, FACP, FACR
President and CEO, NCH Healthcare System
C olor affects our mood, our physical and mental well-being and The colors you wear each day might signal your motivation or how
has an impact on the choices we make. Different colors have
you are feeling that day. A trial attorney in a red tie might indicate an
different meanings, and we have different reactions to the same
color depending on our gender and background adversarial day. A blue tie might signal conciliation.
Colors also are used symbolically and have been associated with
In creating a healing environment such as a hospital, blues and specific behaviors and holidays. Our red-yellow-green traffic light
greens typically have a calming effect. Reds and yellows might cause has been adopted to color-code progress reports in business. Other
some excitement. They also might invigorate people suffering from examples: red and green for the winter holidays, orange for Halloween
depression. and seasonal colors matching foods which are harvested during specific
But all the colors of the rainbow can have different meanings, and times of the year.
we all have some favorites and less favorite colors. Two major categories of color are “warm” and “cool.” Warms such
The psychology of color is based on the mental and emotional as red, yellow and orange can cause a variety of emotions ranging
effects color have on us. This is not completely scientific and there are from anger and hostility to comfort and warmth. Yellow and orange
significant variations among individuals. Nonetheless, there are some seem to stimulate the appetite, which is worth noting if you have a
interesting generalities worth considering. weight control problem. Cool colors such as green, blue, and purple are
For instance, different colors can become associated with specific associated with calmness or sadness. To help you sleep, the calmness of
events. President Abraham Lincoln was wearing an all black Brooks blue is good for bedrooms.
Brothers suit the night he was shot. Afterwards, Brooks Brothers never Marketers and advertising folks make extensive use of color and
made another all black suit. You may associate a particular color with a have performed a great deal of research into symbolism and selection.
significant event in your own life. McDonald’s golden arches are yellow for a reason. Coca-Cola red also
Psychologist Carl Jung believed the colors you chose reflected a gets your attention and makes you thirsty.
deeper part of your psyche. Introverts prefer blue and extroverts red.
46 Life in Naples | January 2015
Significance
of Colors
in Our Lives
by Allen Weiss, MD, MBA, FACP, FACR
President and CEO, NCH Healthcare System
C olor affects our mood, our physical and mental well-being and The colors you wear each day might signal your motivation or how
has an impact on the choices we make. Different colors have
you are feeling that day. A trial attorney in a red tie might indicate an
different meanings, and we have different reactions to the same
color depending on our gender and background adversarial day. A blue tie might signal conciliation.
Colors also are used symbolically and have been associated with
In creating a healing environment such as a hospital, blues and specific behaviors and holidays. Our red-yellow-green traffic light
greens typically have a calming effect. Reds and yellows might cause has been adopted to color-code progress reports in business. Other
some excitement. They also might invigorate people suffering from examples: red and green for the winter holidays, orange for Halloween
depression. and seasonal colors matching foods which are harvested during specific
But all the colors of the rainbow can have different meanings, and times of the year.
we all have some favorites and less favorite colors. Two major categories of color are “warm” and “cool.” Warms such
The psychology of color is based on the mental and emotional as red, yellow and orange can cause a variety of emotions ranging
effects color have on us. This is not completely scientific and there are from anger and hostility to comfort and warmth. Yellow and orange
significant variations among individuals. Nonetheless, there are some seem to stimulate the appetite, which is worth noting if you have a
interesting generalities worth considering. weight control problem. Cool colors such as green, blue, and purple are
For instance, different colors can become associated with specific associated with calmness or sadness. To help you sleep, the calmness of
events. President Abraham Lincoln was wearing an all black Brooks blue is good for bedrooms.
Brothers suit the night he was shot. Afterwards, Brooks Brothers never Marketers and advertising folks make extensive use of color and
made another all black suit. You may associate a particular color with a have performed a great deal of research into symbolism and selection.
significant event in your own life. McDonald’s golden arches are yellow for a reason. Coca-Cola red also
Psychologist Carl Jung believed the colors you chose reflected a gets your attention and makes you thirsty.
deeper part of your psyche. Introverts prefer blue and extroverts red.
46 Life in Naples | January 2015
