Hey everyone and welcome to this deep dive.
Today we're gonna be looking at how colors we see in nature
can actually affect how we feel.
You know, like, have you ever wondered if like the color
of a room can actually like affect your stress level
or even like how quickly you heal from being sick?
It's pretty amazing, right?
There's actually a whole field of study
called color psychology that looks at just that.
How different colors can evoke specific emotional responses
and even physical responses too.
Yeah, that's super interesting.
So we've got a ton of research articles
and books and stuff to go through today.
All about this connection between color and our wellbeing.
And honestly, some of this stuff is pretty wild.
Like you're gonna wanna hear this.
Yeah, definitely.
But before we get to all that,
I think it's important to understand like
how we even see color in the first place.
You know, it's kind of more complicated than we might think.
Like when you see something red, like an apple for example,
it all starts with light.
Oh yeah, right.
The light hits the apple and then like what,
it goes into our eyes.
Exactly, so the light enters your eye
and it hits the back of your eye
on a part called the retina.
Oh yeah, the retina.
I remember learning about that in like high school biology.
Something about rods and cones, right?
Yeah, you got it.
So the cones are the important ones here for color vision.
We actually have three different types of cones in our eyes
and each type is sensitive to different wavelengths of light.
We have ones for short wavelengths, which we see as blue,
then medium wavelengths, which we see as green
and then long wavelengths, which we see as red.
So it's like our eyes are picking up
these different wavelengths
and then sending signals to our brain
and then our brain is like, oh, that's blue
or that's green or that's red.
Exactly, it's like a whole chain reaction
happening in like milliseconds.
But then there's also this thing called color constancy.
Have you ever noticed how like a white shirt
still looks white whether you're outside on a sunny day
or inside under a lamp?
Yeah, actually now that you mention it,
that's pretty weird, how does that work?
It's our brains again.
Our brains are constantly adjusting how we perceive color
based on the lighting around us.
So even though the light might be different,
the color of the object appears to stay the same.
It's pretty amazing.
That is really wild.
So now that we know how we see color,
let's get to the really cool stuff.
What about all the different colors we see in nature,
like the greens and blues and reds?
Each of those colors can actually have
a unique effect on us.
Let's start with green.
It's often called nature's tranquilizer
because it's been shown to have a calming effect.
There was this one study where they found
that hospital patients who had rooms overlooking a garden
actually recovered faster than patients who didn't.
Whoa, seriously?
Yeah.
Just from looking at green.
Yeah, it's pretty amazing.
They think that the color green itself can actually
help speed up healing.
It's pretty incredible.
I can definitely see that.
I always feel so much more relaxed
when I'm out in nature surrounded by trees and plants.
It makes sense.
Green is associated with tranquility and healing
and renewal.
Think about lush forests and fields and gardens.
It's no wonder we find it so soothing.
There's even this thing called nature therapy, right?
Where people go out into nature specifically
to help improve their mental well-being.
Exactly.
And the calming influence of the color green
is a big part of why that works.
So green is awesome, but blue is pretty great too.
You have the color of the sky or the ocean.
Oh, yeah.
Blue is definitely my favorite color.
I find it so peaceful and serene.
Me too.
You know, it makes sense when you think about it.
Blue is associated with relaxation, trust, stability,
all these feelings of calmness and peace.
I've definitely noticed that a lot of hospitals and spas
use a lot of blue.
For sure.
It's no coincidence.
They're trying to create a calming and relaxing
environment.
But nature is not all peace and quiet, though.
Right.
You have colors like red too.
Yeah, red is definitely more attention grabbing.
It's like nature's way of saying, hey, look at me.
Exactly.
Red's really interesting because it's got this duality to it.
It can represent love and passion,
but it can also signal danger and alertness.
Like, think about how red is used in nature.
You have bright red flowers that attract pollinators,
and then you have bright red markings on animals that
warn predators to stay away.
It's crazy how the same color can
have such different meanings.
Like, it can be both exciting and scary at the same time.
Totally.
And there's a physiological reason for that too.
Red actually increases our heart rate
and stimulates our senses, which is
why it's such a powerful tool in marketing and advertising.
So red is all about intensity.
But what about yellow?
Yellow just seems so happy and cheerful.
Yeah, yellow is all about sunshine and happiness.
It's associated with optimism and mental clarity,
and it can even boost your mood and help you be more creative.
I feel like being out in the sun always makes me feel better.
And that's like nature's biggest source of yellow, right?
Exactly.
And sunlight is super important for our well-being
because it helps our bodies produce vitamin D, which
is crucial for both our physical and mental health.
It's like the perfect example of how connected we
are to the colors of nature.
They're not just pretty to look at.
They can actually have a real impact
on how we feel and function.
So we've talked about green, blue, red, yellow.
Now let's move on to a color that's a bit more mysterious,
purple, like lavender fields and twilight skies, even
amethyst crystals.
Oh, yeah.
Purple is definitely a cool color.
I remember when I was a kid, I had this amethyst geode,
and I thought it was like magic.
I can see why.
It's often associated with the things like spirituality
and creativity and introspection.
It has this kind of mystical quality to it.
And it's interesting how purple can be both calming
and inspiring.
Like lavender is used for relaxation,
but purple is also associated with royalty and power.
Yeah, it's got this unique ability to help you relax,
but also spark your imagination.
Now we've talked about all these bright colors.
Well, what about brown?
You might not think of brown as a very exciting color,
but it's everywhere in nature.
Oh, yeah.
Brown is definitely important.
It's like the color of the earth and trees,
and it gives you the sense of grounding and stability.
Exactly.
It's all about feeling rooted and connected to something
bigger than yourself.
And it's interesting how a lot of these nature therapy
and mindfulness practices are really emphasizing
that feeling of grounding.
It's like brown brings us back down to earth, literally.
Literally.
So we've talked about individual colors,
but what about when you start combining colors,
like a sunset with all those oranges and reds and purples?
That's where the idea of complementary colors comes in.
These are pairs of colors that are opposite each other
on the color wheel, like blue and orange or red and green.
When you put those colors together,
they create a really strong visual contrast.
Oh, yeah, I see what you mean.
Like a blue lake with an orange sunset,
or a green forest with some bright red berries.
It's so visually striking.
And it's not just visually appealing either.
These color combinations can evoke all sorts of emotions.
They can create feelings of excitement and awe or peace
and tranquility.
It just depends on the colors you're using.
It's amazing how nature can do that.
So we've been talking a lot about how we perceive color,
but I'm curious, do different cultures
see color in the same way?
That's a great question.
And the answer is no.
Different cultures actually interpret colors
in very different ways.
Like, for example, in Western cultures,
white is often associated with purity and innocence.
But in some Eastern cultures, it represents mourning.
Wow, that's a huge difference.
And red is another one.
In the West, it's associated with love and passion.
But in many Eastern cultures, it symbolizes good luck
and prosperity.
It's a good reminder that our perceptions of color
are influenced by our cultural background and experiences.
So we've talked about how colors make us feel.
But what about actually using color to improve our well-being?
I've heard of color therapy.
Yeah, I've heard of that too.
It's like using specific colors to promote healing and balance.
There's actually a lot of research
being done on how different colors can affect our mood,
our energy levels, even our physical health.
Like, I know some hospitals are using more natural colors
and designs to try and create a more calming environment
for patients.
And then there's forest bathing, which
is popular in Japan, where people go into the forest
to immerse themselves in the green and de-stress.
Those are great examples of how we
can use color to create spaces that support our well-being.
And you don't have to go to a forest to do it.
You can bring nature into your home too.
Right, like adding some plants or choosing artwork
with calming colors, or even just painting a room a color
that makes you feel good.
Exactly.
Little changes can make a big difference.
But what about when you don't have those bright colors
around, like during the winter when everything's
kind of gray and dull?
Yeah, that's a good point.
I know a lot of people who struggle with seasonal affective
disorder during the winter.
And I wonder if the lack of sunlight and those vibrant
colors plays a role.
It definitely could.
You know, our bodies and minds thrive on sunlight
and those vibrant colors.
When those are gone, it can really affect our mood
and energy levels.
So it's important to find ways to combat those winter blues.
Like maybe bringing some of those brighter colors indoors,
like getting some houseplants or surrounding yourself
with art that reminds you of spring and summer.
Those are great ideas.
And don't underestimate the power of light therapy too.
It can really help to boost your mood and energy levels
when there's less natural sunlight.
So we've covered a lot of ground here,
from the science of how we see color
to the cultural meanings of different colors,
and even how we can use color to improve our well-being.
Yeah, it's been a fascinating journey.
What I find most amazing is how deeply connected we
are to the natural world and how those colors can have
such a profound impact on us.
It's a good reminder that we're a part of nature,
not separate from it.
And those colors are a big part of what makes
life so rich and beautiful.
So it's like we have this whole palette of colors to work with,
and we can use them to make our lives better and happier.
Yeah, exactly.
And even small changes can make a big difference.
Right.
Like what kind of small changes are you thinking of?
Like adding a few plants to your desk at work
or taking a walk in a park and really noticing
the different colors of the flowers.
Just little things like that can really
have a big impact on how you feel.
That's a great point.
So we've talked about a lot of different things today,
the science behind how we see color
and the different ways that cultures interpret color
and how color can affect everything from our mood
to our health and even our productivity.
It's been quite a deep dive.
And then it all comes back to this idea
that we're part of nature, not separate from it.
Yeah, and those colors are like a direct link
to that connection.
Exactly.
So as we wrap up, I just want to encourage everyone listening
to really start paying attention to the colors around you.
Yeah, both in nature and in your everyday life.
Like notice how different colors make you feel.
Experiment with bringing more natural colors into your home,
your clothes, even the food you eat.
And I think the most important thing
is to just spend time in nature.
Like really immerse yourself in all those vibrant colors.
Let those colors inspire you and calm you
and remind you of how powerful and amazing
the natural world is.
So that's it for our deep dive into the psychology
of colors in nature.
We hope you enjoyed it and that you learned some cool stuff.
And we hope you'll take some of these ideas
and use them to make your life a little brighter
and more colorful.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning,
and keep diving deep.