The world around us is a huge palette of various shades. And we literally every minute have the opportunity to observe their change. Psychologists and other specialists have long been studying the effect of colors on the emotional, psychological, and also physical condition and well-being of a person. And the fact that such an influence exists is no longer in doubt. The article deals with gray color and its meaning in psychology.
What does mean?
This color refers to soothing shades. It is obtained after mixing black and white - two opposite colors in our perception. Shades of gray are undervalued due to their lack of brightness. It is not often possible to meet a person who truly loves gray tones. However, those to whom the color is very unpleasant are also very few. Gray gamma usually does not cause negative arousal and is not annoying.
Most often color is associated with indifference, boredom, apathy, monotony. This is the color of a rainy gloomy day. The darker the shade of gray, the more depressing associations it can cause. Also gray color is associated with some neutrality, mediocrity. Often people use the well-established phrase “gray mouse”, describing with its help uninteresting, dull personalities who merged with the crowd.
In antiquity, shades of gray in clothes were a sign of commoners and beggars. But in medieval Europe, color, by contrast, was very revered in the highest circles. Wearing it was considered a sign of nobility, titled persons from high society put on him.
Esoteric teaching binds gray with the god Saturn, the patron saint of time. Therefore, the colors of this range are associated with aging and fading. Most plants, drying out, lose their natural bright color and acquire dark and dark gray shades.
But, besides this, the connection of gray with the color of gray hair is also associated with life experience, degree, and wisdom.
The psychology of color is such that light shades of gray have a calming effect on the nervous system and psyche. They contribute to the ordering of thoughts, relaxation, can accelerate the onset of natural sleep. But the dark gray color, especially too much of it, brings dark thoughts, aggravates oppression, apathy and depression.
Positive color value:
- reconciliation;
- justice;
- calm;
- wisdom;
- neutrality.
Negative associations:
- boredom;
- sadness;
- withering;
- loneliness;
- indifference.
How does a person characterize?
Despite its inconspicuousness and the absence of flashy brightness, you can meet people who like gray very much.
Psychologists believe that those with gray as their favorite color experience a rather strong urge to calm.. They may be introverts or simply wish to isolate themselves from external stimuli during the current period due to any upheavals and troubles in life.
Often sympathy for shades of gray scale indicates chronic fatigue, both physical and psychological. It is possible that a person has been experiencing tension for a long time due to stress, anxiety, or other negative factors. Therefore, subconsciously trying to defend himself, he seeks solitude by evading contact with a large number of people. Often, such a person communication is reduced to a minimum, and the circle of acquaintances is extremely small.
Characteristics of the gray scale lover can be supplemented with a penchant for serious and long-term reflections.. This person avoids any risks, not impulsive. If he is confronted with a situation in which a choice must be made, he is often lost and hesitates with the final decision. Trying to predict the result in advance, such a person carefully and for a long time scrolls through his head all possible scenarios. Undoubtedly, in some situations this feature can help a lot.
But more often it only leads to missed chances and opportunities.
The merits of those who sympathize with gray shades include well-developed logic. Those who choose gray are rather inquisitive, it is a pleasure for them to understand new areas of activity, to master many-sided skills. In this they are assisted by diligence, a well-developed ability to concentrate, hard work and patience.
Often, those who are very fond of the gray scale, become excellent theoretical scientists, excellent specialists in their chosen field of activity. Despite the more pronounced tendency to science, they may well be realized in the works.
The only thing that often becomes an obstacle to success is such indecision and avoidance of publicity. Often, those who prefer gray tones, hardly climb the career ladder, because they can not bring themselves to establish broad contacts in the professional field. But ambition and modesty make the talents and successes of such people even less noticeable to others.
The love of gray indicates the presence in the character of such traits as prudence, restraint, distrust, tendency to loneliness. The latter is compensated by the wealth of the inner world, the ability to work on their shortcomings. Fans of gray shades, oddly enough, very rarely fall into a serious deep depression.
In difficult situations, they are able to get carried away with an interesting affair, and, being alone with themselves, escape from problems and troubles that trouble them.
Does health affect?
Experts in the field of medicine and psychology proved that the colors of different scales are able to influence both physical well-being and emotional and psychological state. In addition, it is no secret that these two spheres are closely linked. Emotions can heal or, on the contrary, weaken the body and organs. A good physical well-being helps to cope with stress and strengthens protection from negative emotional factors.
Shades of gray scale have a rather pronounced inhibiting effect on physiological processes. The ability of color to quickly remove excessive nervous tension makes it possible to use it in color therapy. It mainly has a positive therapeutic effect on disorders of the nervous system. Also, this shade can positively affect sleep. Meditation surrounded by light gray tones is very useful for insomnia and excessive anxiety.
Contemplation of shade in combination with meditative music helps regulate blood pressure. Regular holding of the procedure over time can completely relieve a person from hypertension. To bring all vital metabolic processes back to normal, it is recommended to meditate on color during inflammatory processes, exacerbation of chronic diseases and at high temperatures. It is believed that the gray gamma helps the body to overcome the infection by activating its defenses.
It is worth noting that for therapeutic purposes, you should use light shades of gray. Dark tones have a completely different effect. Their excess leads to depression, depression and in general a negative effect on the psyche.
Instead of calming and relaxing in this case, the person is likely to get only the aggravation of depression or subconscious anxiety.
What does clothing symbolize?
Color is considered to be quite versatile, like white and black. Often it is included in the business image. The gray scale looks strictly, not defiantly. And the ability of this color to increase concentration and concentration is just the way at business meetings and negotiations. Color does not distract from working or educational process.
Unlike black, gray shades do not evoke mourning associations and are not so “aged”. In addition, the light gray gamut fits into the wardrobe of the warm season much more organically.
The well-established expression “gray mouse” pushes some people away from choosing gray details for their wardrobe. However, gray clothing, on the contrary, makes timid people more confident. With skillful use, color is able to emphasize individuality and organically complete the image.
The choice of clothes with a predominance of gray shades often indicates coldness in relation to others and an emphasized desire to isolate themselves. Quite often, color is preferred by very successful and haughty women. Shades of gray are well combined with white, black and purple.
Include in your image details of gray shades are recommended for those who are prone to temper. Color will strengthen composure and help avoid frequent emotional breakdowns.
Value in the interior
Grayish shades are chosen for decoration of business premises: offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms. This is due to the restraint of color, the absence of distracting and irritating effects. The tones of this color range, especially light ones, help to concentrate and stimulate thought processes. Due to the soothing effects of this color, it is often chosen for the design of corridors and offices in medical institutions.
In apartments and houses, this color is also used quite often. Recently, high-tech style has become popular. It is based on gray tones with metallic luster. In the high-tech style, you can arrange the office, living room, kitchen. When used in the dining room, gray will help regulate appetite, soothe flashes of hunger. Therefore, it can be recommended to those who adhere to a healthy lifestyle, watching for weight and avoiding overeating.
In the nursery, on the contrary, it is worthwhile to avoid the predominance of gray shades, especially dark ones. It is better to use color only as a supplement.
The choice of gray shades in the interior for the most part people tend to constancy and stability. It is suitable for those whose activity is associated with intellectual work and requires balance, calm emotional state and deep thoughtfulness. Shades of gray are very well combined with white and black furniture. Painted gray walls visually increase the space of the room.
It is not recommended to use dark shades of color in the home interior. In this case, the room will look somewhat gloomy. Instead of expanding the space, you can get the opposite effect, the feeling of "pressure" of the walls.
