Know Your Colors

Did you know that there are certain colors that can have a direct impact on your performance? With the exception of color blindness, and any other eye condition, research shows us there there are certain colors that can affect arousal.

When you look at arousal (the blend of physiological and psychological activity), we see that it has a direct impact on your ability to perform with high clarity.

Say What?!

In the 1980s, there was a legendary football coach at the University of Iowa (Hayden Fry) who would paint the opponents locker room pink! This Coach, who knew a thing or two about Psychology, knew that pink was a relatively calm color. The thought was to “calm down the opponent” before game time.

Although this was controversial, and definitely sparked debate, there is something to be said for the use of certain colors.

The following is a short list of colors that can incite calmness:

The following colors are known to create feelings of intensity & energy

How do you feel when you look at the preceding colors?

Do you notice anything about the following logos?

These colors in combination interact with our emotions, our hunger, and ultimately our behavior…

The same type of ideology is used in prisons, hospitals, and even in interior design.

There is an entire psychology of design that largely revolves around colors.

As an athlete, make sure that you are aware of what is around you. If you are an outdoor athlete, and become agitated or up-regulated, one of the easiest things that you can do is look at the blue skies… literally. If you are a golfer for instance, you can take an extended look at the greens, the trees, etc. to help you calm back down.

The clothing that you wear, your equipment, the design of your locker room, and adjacent areas that you will repeatedly visit are important.

Now that you know, better, you can do better.

Know your colors!

Your Friend,

Josiah