Do you take 'Colors' for granted?

"Lavender is just blue". Said no girl ever, obviously, so it had to be a guy. The details with which we observe, grasp and understand the significance of things defines our attention or affection towards them. Have you ever wondered why some people always wear a certain color or why some people have beautiful multi-colored homes whereas some can not care less if all the walls are painted yellow?

Colors are inevitable. Nobody can escape this element created by god. Not even God. Even when you meditate you tend to see a bright light or a dim one (if you just getting started). Almost all religions give atmost importance to the role of colors in the context of their culture. For example, the most sacred color for Hindus is saffron (also known as "bhagwa" in Hindi). Saffron is a bright orange-yellow color, similar to the color of a flame. It represents purity because it is believed that fire can burn all impurities. Studying the varied interpretations of colors in different religions is another topic, because one color can represent purity in one religion and be considered evil in another.

It's important to note that the colors themselves are not inherently good or evil, but rather, it is the meaning and associations that people give to it that can vary depending on their cultural and historical context and sometimes even personal experiences.

But then how can someone take colors for granted? They might differ from one individual to another, but everyone conceives colors in some way right? There are no such researches that prove that humans are capable of being indifferent to colors but on an observational level I feel they can. Contrary to what you might feel form the beginning of this article, no its not about "men being indifferent towards colors article". Its about the bizarre observation that some people are more inclined towards minute details & absence of the spectrum of colors than others. Let me show how.

A Graphic designer, an artist, a fashion designer, an interior designer and the likes, are and will be superior to those who's job does not involve keen knowledge & differentiation of colors. We can all agree on this right? Let's not deny the only color whose 50 shades we know is, Grey.

A spiritual healer, a guru, a pandit all understand the religious connotation of colors in their culture and advise their disciples according. They might even have a completely different rule book than what you know. They might perceive colors to carry messages, an element that can change mindsets & emotions, which they very well do.

The probability of a girl being more inclined towards 'pink' or 'lavender' is anyway higher than a boy whereas the same can be said of men for colors like 'brown' or 'black'. There can exist a natural inclination towards certain colors based on your sex, its not a universal truth just a prominent occurrence.

But why are we talking about colors so much? Do they really play that significant a role in our lives? Well, yes. Color is an important aspect of human perception and can have a significant impact on our emotions and behaviors. Let's understand little science behind it all first.

The Psychology of Color

Color psychology is the study of how colors can impact human behavior, emotions, and mood. For example, red is often associated with passion, love, and energy, while blue is often associated with calmness, serenity, and stability. Green is associated with nature, growth, and balance, while yellow is associated with happiness, optimism, and energy. These emotional associations are not universal and can vary depending on individual experiences, cultural context, and personal preferences. However, research has shown that colors can impact our emotions in predictable ways, with certain colors being more likely to elicit specific emotional responses.

The Neuroscience of Color

Research has shown that different colors can activate different parts of the brain, which can influence our mood, behavior, and perception. For example, the color red has been found to increase activity in the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that processes emotions such as fear and aggression. This can explain why we often associate red with strong emotions like passion, love, and anger. Blue light, on the other hand, can suppress the production of melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates sleep. This is because blue light activates the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is the part of the brain that controls the body's circadian rhythm. This can explain why exposure to blue light before bedtime can disrupt our sleep patterns. Green environments have been found to increase activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, which is the part of the brain associated with attention and cognitive control. This can explain why exposure to nature and green spaces can have a calming and restorative effect on our minds.

Let me thus leave this thought for you to ponder on, are you aware of the colors you are drawn to? What colors make the majority of your personal & professional space? Do you prefer clothing of a certain color or its hues or are you open to all? (For a major part of my life, I was drawn & obsessed with black clothes), Do you consciously try to make your surroundings colorful? How consciously aware are you about the impact of COLORS in YOUR life?

A little conscious nudge can go long way in realising the importance of colors in your life. Changing the colors you surround yourself with has the potential of changing your entire life, if done right. "Colors speak all languages.", try to listen what they are saying to you.