Colors to avoid when you're feeling down, and shades that brighten the mind

“Lately, I’ve been feeling really down, and I don’t know where to start.”

Hi, this is My Shopper!Is it the unpredictable weather, or something else you can’t quite name? If you’ve been feeling down for no clear reason, we’d like to share a small way to help ease that emotional weight. Have you ever looked at the colors you wear or surround yourself with when you’re not feeling your best?

In fact, colors have a much bigger impact on our emotions than we often realize. Especially when we feel low, we tend to be drawn to darker or muted shades, but those very tones can sometimes deepen feelings of sadness and increase emotional fatigue.

Steer clear of black, gray, and navy when you’re feeling down

Let’s first look at the colors you may want to avoid when you're not in the best mood. Black, while stylish and chic in everyday life, can act like a wall when you're feeling low. It may make you close yourself off emotionally and suppress your feelings. If your space or wardrobe has a lot of black, it might intensify the sense of being trapped in darkness.

Gray is sleek and neutral, but when your emotions are unstable, it can feel like “no emotion” at all—bringing a sense of emptiness or dull energy. Wearing gray often when feeling down may leave you feeling even more unmotivated.

Dark shades like navy give off a calm and serious vibe, but during emotionally heavy periods, they can add to feelings of being emotionally stuck or weighed down.

So, what colors can help uplift your mood?

1. Light yellow

   Bright yellow brings sunshine-like positivity and energy. A yellow scarf or lemon-colored item can do wonders for your mood..

2. Warm pinks Warm-toned pinks provide emotional comfort and a soft sense of reassurance. Coral or peach tones can bring life back to a tired day and boost confidence - try them in lip colors, knitwear, or nail polish.

3. Pastel mint Mint or light green reminds us of nature, and can help soothe the nervous system and reduce visual fatigue—great for clearing a heavy mind.

Why do I reach for dark colors on down days?

It’s also worth asking yourself why you tend to gravitate toward darker shades when you’re feeling low. The colors we wear often reflect unconscious emotions—black may show a desire to hide or control emotions, gray may reflect a desire to stay neutral and disconnected, and navy might represent a need to withdraw inward. So taking a moment to notice what you’re wearing can actually be the first step toward emotional awareness and change.

A quick color routine check for low-energy days

• What colors have you worn most often this past week?

• Why did you choose neutral tones like black, gray, or navy?

• How often do you keep bright or warm colors nearby?

• Are you using colorful colors in small items?

• Do you have any lively-colored objects in your home or workspace?

• What color is your phone or computer wallpaper?

  
  

Using color to gently support your mood

If you realize your dark color choices are tied to your emotions, try making small changes to your color routine. If bold changes feel too much, start with something small—like socks, nail polish, or a hair clip in a brighter hue. You could also try changing your phone background to a warm tone or adding colorful items like flowers or stationery to your space. On days when your energy feels especially low, intentionally surrounding yourself with cheerful colors can really help.

Color is like the temperature of our hearts—something we can’t touch, but something that deeply connects to how we feel. If you’ve been feeling down often, take a look at the colors around you. Color acts like a container for our emotions. More than right or wrong, what matters is learning which colors truly support you, and what hues your heart might be craving, small changes can lead to big emotional shifts. We hope today’s content brings a bit of warmth and quiet comfort to your day.

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CREDIT

Editor | Jeongyeon Kim

Email: jeongyeon@my-shopper.com