My guess is you’ve heard today is ‘Blue Monday’. Apparently this started back in 2005 when UK TV channel Sky Travel enlisted the help of Dr. Cliff Arnall to create a ‘formula’ to find the most depressing day of the year – of all the things eh?!

Dr. Cliff Arnall calculated factors such as Christmas holiday withdrawals, debt, low motivational levels, poor weather etc and concluded that the third Monday in January is that day and since then it’s become known as ‘Blue Monday’.

You may absolutely agree with this, see it as a bit of fun or as nothing more than a marketing ploy – as it seems this ‘formula’ was designed to find out when people booked their holidays with the assumption they were more likely to do this when they were ‘feeling the blues’.

What’s more likely to be happening is that we can find ourselves feeling a bit down during the long, cold, dark winter months. Mother nature is hibernating, and the skies are grey. It’s easy to feel low, lose energy and motivation. This feeling isn’t just one day but can continue throughout the long winter months.

Bring colour into your day to beat the winter blues

Bringing colour into your day is a great way to beat the winter blues. Just because it’s grey and dark outside doesn’t mean you can’t dress in colours that help boost your confidence, lift your mood, helping you to feel happier and bring in the joy.

5 top tips for picking your winter blues busting colours

I have five top tips for you to bust out of the winter blues and into joyful colour!

1. Pick colours that lift your spirits!
   You’ll have noticed there are many variations for each hue, for example when it comes to purple, lilac is very different to lavender, aubergine or royal purple. So wear the colour that resonates with you and expresses your authentic personality.
   
   
2.  Aim to have a balanced palette of colours to wear
   Having a full spectrum of colours that resonate with you, a mix of soft soothing colours through to more vivid stimulating colours, for example a soft light blue, a mid range blue and a darker blue, means no matter how you are feeling there will be a colour to support how you are feeling or want to feel.
   
   
3. Notice the colour/s missing from your wardrobe
   Perhaps they are the colours you don’t like.  There may be a reason why you’re rejecting them. I used to reject all yellows until I realised why I was doing it and then I was able to connect with a  yellow that I loved that’s in my spring colour palette which happens to be a warm sunshine yellow.
   
   
4. Notice the colours you’re consistently drawn to
   If there is a colour that you are finding yourself consistently drawn to, there may be a reason why you need this colour and the support it’s giving you.  Check that it’s supporting you in a positive way.
   
   
5. Explore the fascinating world of colour!
   We don’t live in a black & white (or grey) world so don’t be afraid to experiment with colour and different colour combinations. I often find that bringing in a bunch of colourful flowers or a flowering plant gives me an instant feel-good boost! 

Below I’ve included a selection of colours along with just a few of their positive psychological effects, so no matter how you are feeling you know there is a colour that will support you? You may choose to wear colours to stay with that feeling, or ones to support positive change. Colour can support the positive outcome you’re looking for.

Soft Pink – Nurtured and loved (avoid magenta)
Yellow – Optimism, confidence and self-esteem
Green – Peaceful, and relaxed (avoid lime green)
Light Blue – Calming the mind and reflective
Dark Blue – Focused mental concentration
Brown – Grounding support
Red – Physically energised (just a dash is often enough)
Violet – Self-reflection and spiritual awareness
Orange – Fun, playful and joy

Want to learn more?

Head over to buy The Little Book of Colour where you can find out How to Use the Psychology of Colour to Transform your Life.

If you would like to stay in touch with what I’m up to in our colourful world then join my mailing list to receive your monthly dose of colourful news.

You can also download the First Chapter of The Little Book of Colour for free.

Want to find new ways to bring colour into all areas of your life? Then The Colour Club might be just what you’re looking for.

You can also find me over on Instagram.

Wishing you a colour filled day!
Karenx

Title photo by Joy Stamp on Unsplash
Original publication date 20th January 2020, updated 14th January 2024