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This story originally appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of Domino, titled “Rainbow Rx.” Subscribe to be the first to receive each issue!

We’re used to thinking about color in the context of design—a new shade of paint, the pattern combo everyone’s obsessed with—but in terms of our own emotional well-being? Not so much. Although maybe we should be. There’s a growing school of thought—one that’s recently moved from out-there alternative to downright mainstream—that believes color is the key to happiness, balance…and just about everything in between. From feeling confident and calm to getting a more productive night’s sleep, here are four easy color remedies to live by—go ahead and self-medicate.

See the World Through Tinted Glasses

Color & Paint photo
Color Therapy Glasses, Whitney Museum of American Art ($15)
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Changing your mood could be as simple (and fun) as throwing on a pair of brightly tinted shades. Chromotherapy glasses are said to subtly shift your outlook: Don red shades to boost confidence, blue to improve communication skills, and pink to ease stress. Wear for 10 to 30 minutes a day, and let the benefits, real or placebo, wash over you.

Perfect Your Palette

Something as simple as wall color can dramatically change the vibe of your surroundings—and it can affect your mood, too. These color-expert recommendations will help you feel your best in each area of your home.

Neutral-toned bedrooms can be almost as effective as a dose of melatonin when you need to drift off to sleep, according to Benjamin Moore’s creative director, Ellen O’Neill. Light, greenish blues make a perfect match, as do creamy off-whites and soft pinks.

Analyze Your Aura

Photo by Radiant Human

Photo by Radiant Human

Photo by Radiant Human

Photo by Radiant Human