Don't let the winter blues take over your mood. Play some groovy music and dance to the tunes or listen to a happy song and sing along! Use fun and fabulous wall paint to feel more upbeat and positive. You can also chew gum or have some chocolate to feel happy and relaxed. Colour psychologists swear by the power of green. Expose yourself to this colour as it is believed to exude happiness and calm. If you are working, pick up a green pen to take down notes. Throw on a green sweatshirt and don’t be surprised to feel over the rainbow in a while. Colours can have a magical effect over our emotions that can feel both incredible and unbelievable!

Did you know that colours can be used effectively to stimulate intellectual development when a child is a toddler? If you observe closely, babies are happier when surrounded by calming shades of pastel. Following birth, since they have a lot of adjusting to do in the new environment, it is best to avoid busy patterns and strong colours that are believed to cause restlessness. It is a good idea to deck up the baby’s nursery in pastel hues. This can help control hyperactivity and sleepless nights.

Aventurine

This gemstone is known as Aventurine. It is characterised by its translucency and gets a shimmering and glistening effect called aventurescence. Commonly called the “Stone of Opportunity”, it is considered the luckiest of all crystals. It is believed to lend comfort and good luck to those who carry it with them. This gemstone is perfect for people going through testing and trying times or for people participating in contests and tournaments. It is a great comforter and believed to be a heart healer.

Cinnabar

This gemstone you are looking at is known as Cinnabar, the only important ore of mercury. For thousands of years, it has been mined and heated in a furnace. People began using this stone for pigments thousands of years ago in places like Italy, Japan, China, Turkey, Greece, Spain and the Mayan countries of South America. It was used in Roman mural painting in the north-eastern quadrant of Hispania. Cut specimens are extremely small, normally less than 3 carats. Collectors like to purchase this gemstone and are also used for carvings. If you are looking for easy painting ideas for your home, you can use the vermillion shade inspired by this Cinnabar gemstone for an accent wall.

Honeysuckle

The name of the plant photographed here is the Honeysuckle. It is about 180 species of ornamental shrubs and climbers of the family Caprifoliaceae. It grows in the Himalayas, southern and eastern Asia, North Africa and majority of species are found in China. It comes in a delightful range of colours, varying from white to deep orange.

The honeysuckle fills the air with its long-lasting and sweet scent. It is so intoxicating that we dare you to walk by this beautiful plant without giving it a sniff! In addition to brightening up your entrance with exterior house colours, it would be a good idea to grow a honeysuckle plant for a welcoming touch.

American Goldfinch

This adorable looking bird is called the American Goldfinch. It is no ordinary bird as it claims the title of being the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington. The males are brilliant yellow and shiny black with a bit of white. Females are duller but identifiable due to their conical bill, pointy tail, wingbars and lack of streaks. Its general habitats are weedy fields and floodplains but are also found in orchards and backyards, happily feeding on fallen seeds, especially sunflower and nyjer. Its most common call is the contact call, often given in flight, which interestingly sounds as if the bird is quietly saying po-ta-to-chip. Amusing, isn’t it?