Think yellow is mellow? Think again: According to experts, the color yellow—even in its palest shades—actually activates the anxiety center of your brain. Numerous studies show that because of this nerve-irritating effect, infants cry more in yellow nurseries, couples fight more in yellow kitchens, and divas throw more temper tantrums in yellow dressing rooms.
So if you want to create an atmosphere—indoors or out—that will really set your mind and spirit at ease, keep these rules of physics in mind:
- A room, or an outdoor living space, with a limited color palette (especially white with one or two pastels) imparts peace and restfulness.
- The colors of water—such as blue, violet, mauve, and green—make you feel calm and relaxed.
- Conversely, an area that features walls and furnishings (or flowers) in a Joseph’s-coat mixture of colors can send your stress and anxiety into overdrive, no matter how visually attractive the technicolor décor may be to you.
