The colour blue has often been associated with feeling miserable and depressed, but according to new research, it is actually the colour that can boost our confidence, promote happiness and reduce stress levels.

It is believed that the feel-good-factor created by the colour blue stems from our ancestral past, with our forefathers relating the colour of the early evening sky to the satisfying feeling of  a day well spent.

The study, carried out by researchers from Sussex University, involved exposing 1000 adult volunteers to a range of colours and light.  The volunteers were shone with one colour at a time, whilst their heart rate, brain activity and sweat levels were monitored.  The findings revealed that the colour blue not only created feelings of confidence and calm in both sexes, it also made men feel happier.

Carried out on behalf of retail giant Boots, the research also found that purple helped women to feel relaxed, as well as raising their spirits, whilst red gave men an ego boost.

Researcher, Duncan Smith thinks we should all add a bit of colour to our lives: 'It might be that you put on a pair of red socks or wear that new lipstick or buy some pot plants.'

Whatever your favourite colour is, it looks like blue is definitely ‘on trend’ when it comes to feeling confident!