If you live in a room painted light blue, you may feel ______.

Researchers have found that "cool" colors, such as blues and greens, can make us feel calm and relaxed. Blue and green surroundings can also lower blood pressure, pulse rate, and breathing rate. "Warm" colors, such as reds, yellows, and oranges, affect us differently than "cool" colors do.  "Warm" colors can actually make us feel warmer and excited. They stimulate heartbeat, raise blood pressure, and quicken breathing.
   Yellow, a bright, sunny color, often makes people feel happy and more active. Yet it makes some people feel hot and restless. Red often makes people feel energetic. But not everyone feels good wearing red.
   If some colors can make us feel better, might certain colors also help us think better? According to a 3-year study in Germany, the answer seems to be yes. Scientists studied how various colors affect school children. And they found that certain colors could raise I. Q. as much as 12 points. In the experiment, rooms with low ceilings were painted in different colors. The more popular colors were light blue, yellow, yellow-green, and orange. Less popular colors such as white, black, and brown Caused a drop in I. Q. The study found that the color orange in particular improved social behavior, cheered up children’s spirits and made them feel less hostile and irritable.
   Do people’s color preferences tell us anything about their personalities? Some researchers think they do. According to these researchers, people who are more out-going usually prefer "warm" colors. people who are quieter, less people-oriented, often prefer "cool" colors.