When we think about self-care, we often focus on the usual suspects: spa day, vacay, aromatherapy, journaling, meditation, you know the go-tos. But one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—tools in your self-care routine is color. Believe it or not, colors have a way of impacting our mood, energy, and even our mental and physical health. From the spaces where we unwind to the outfits we rock, color can quietly influence how we feel, boost our confidence, and help us stay grounded.
But how can we really use the power of color to elevate our self-care routines? Let’s explore how different hues can have a real impact and how you can bring them into your life to boost your entire well-being (mood, energy, concentration just to name a few)!
Red: Fire Up Your Passion and Confidence
Red is all about boldness and energy. It speaks power, passion, and strength. When you need a little extra confidence or motivation, surrounding yourself with red can ignite those feelings. Whether it’s slipping into a red dress for that hot date (do we hear "My, My, My" by Johnny Gill playing in the background?) or a perfectly tailored red suit for that big meeting, or even just adding a pop of red to your workspace, this color can help bring out your inner fire.
My favorite color is red. When I see it, I feel it! When I wear it, I am it! What's yours?
Self-Care Tip: Wear red when you need to be assertive or when you’re chasing a goal that requires focus and determination. You could also light a red candle or paint your nails red to help channel that energy.
Yellow: Bring in Joy and Positivity
Bright, sunny yellow is all about happiness, optimism, and creativity. It’s the perfect pick-me-up color when you’re feeling down or mentally foggy. Yellow helps to lift your spirits, get your mind engaged, and keep you open to new ideas.
Here's one for the books: I intentionally chose to go on an interview for a design position in a bright yellow Jones New York pant suit! A little risky? YES, but guess what? That suit sealed the deal and landed me the job.
Self-Care Tip: Start your day with a burst of yellow—sip your coffee or tea from a cheerful yellow mug, wear a sunny yellow workout top, or place some fresh sunflowers in your favorite space. It’s a great way to set a positive tone and boost your mood.
Blue: Embrace the Calm
Blue is the color of peace and calm. It’s soothing, helps reduce stress, and is often linked to feelings of serenity and trust. If you’re looking to relax after a long, hectic day, blue is the way to go. Soft shades of blue can create a chill environment, perfect for unwinding.
Self-Care Tip: Add blue to your evening routine with cozy blue bedding or a calming bath bomb in your favorite shade of blue. You can also meditate under blue lighting or surround yourself with the color during deep breathing exercises to center yourself.
Green: Reconnect with Nature and Balance
Green represents nature, growth, and balance. It’s easy on the eyes and has a calming effect on both mind and body. Surrounding yourself with green can help you feel grounded and rejuvenated, which is perfect for reconnecting with your inner peace and purpose. Guys, if you find yourself thinking of army or old pea green and get instantly put off (yes, I'm calling myself out here), remember green comes in so many VIBRANT shades and hues! Think of that bright green of a cut avocado, chopped cilantro, chartreuse, sea green, jade, emerald, a perfectly manicured lawn! Just beautiful!
Self-Care Tip: Take a stroll in nature or bring the outdoors inside by adding a few green plants to your home. You can also wear green when you need to feel refreshed and aligned with your goals.
Purple: Nurture Your Inner Self
For centuries, purple has been association with calm, creativity, luxury, royalty and personal strength. This color exudes a feeling of balance and introspection, making it a natural fit for wellness and personal growth. When you think about self-care, imagine purple encouraging you to pause, reset, and give yourself the space to just be. It’s like a gentle nudge to focus on what makes you feel balanced and at ease, without any rush.
Self-Care Tip: Add purple to your quite space or light a purple candle while journaling or taking some time to meditate. You can also wrap yourself in a cozy purple blanket or wear a rich purple scarf when you want to feel more in tune with yourself.
Pink: Cultivate Love and Compassion
Was pink every young girl's favorite color? It sure was mine...pink everything, pink everywhere. Soft pink is all about love, kindness, and compassion—both for yourself and others. It’s a nurturing color that reminds us to be gentle with ourselves, especially when we need a little extra care. Pink opens the heart and helps us embrace softness in our approach to life. Sort of reminds us how we were as young children right?
Self-Care Tip: Turn to pink when you need a dose of self-love. Treat yourself to a rose-scented bath, wear your favorite pink pajamas for a cozy night in, or surround yourself with pink decor that makes you feel warm and cherished.
Orange: Awaken Your Creativity and Joy
Orange is a vibrant, playful color that brings out creativity, enthusiasm, and emotional energy. It’s perfect for brightening your mood and inspiring you to try new things, making it ideal for creative self-care practices like art, music, or dance.
Self-Care Tip: Add a splash of orange to your creative space or workout gear. Try keeping an orange journal for brainstorming new ideas, or experiment with vibrant orange foods like sweet potatoes or carrots as part of your self-care nutrition routine.
How to Bring Color Into Your Self-Care Routine
So now that we've explored these colors, let's start figuring out how to use them in our routines. By the way, it's not a one size fits all scenario, nor is it a pick one and done situation. What may work for you today, may not be what you need next week or next month, so switch things up whenever you need to!
Let's start here:
1. Identify What You Need: Start by checking in with yourself. How are you feeling, and what do you need more of? Are you stressed and craving calm, or feeling down and needing a pick-me-up? Once you know what you need, choose the color that matches your mood.
2. Change Your Space: Surround yourself with colors that speak to you. Add them to your home, your wardrobe, or your workspace. It could be as simple as changing your bedsheets, adding a colorful throw pillow, or choosing clothes in your favorite hue.
3. Be Intentional with Color: Use color with purpose during your self-care rituals. Whether you’re meditating, journaling, or just reflecting, surround yourself with the hues that enhance your practice. This can make your self-care even more personal and powerful.
Bring Color Into Your Life with Intention
Color is a powerful, FREE tool that can easily be woven into your everyday self-care. Whether you’re seeking calm, motivation, or creativity, there’s a color that can help guide you into the right mindset. By intentionally choosing the colors in your life, you can elevate your wellness journey and feel more connected to yourself and your surroundings.
So, what color will you embrace today?
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