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Dopamine dressing to enhance mood and motivation at work


Man in a purple suit holding a book
The colours you wear influences your mood, and the mood of those around you. Photo credit: The Lazy Artist Gallery (Pexels)

It’s early Friday morning, and as you prepare to head to the office, the anticipation of the weekend is already lifting your spirits. You’re likely feeling a burst of joy at the thought of two free days ahead. As you look through your closet to choose your outfit for the day, how do these positive feelings influence your choice?


What we wear to work – and in life in general – plays a crucial role in boosting our energy and mood, impacting the secretion of feel-good hormones. Personally, I enjoy picking out my clothes each morning, it’s a chance to have fun, be creative, and it sets the tone for the rest of my day. There’s now a growing body of science supporting this phenomenon, known as Dopamine Dressing. Here’s the why and the how.


Understanding dopamine dressing – dress for success, nah, dress to enhance your mood

Dopamine dressing is a term coined by Dr Dawn Karen an American professor of psychology and fashion psychology. The concept is based on the idea that certain colours, styles, textures and clothing choices can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward in the brain. Dr. Karen saw a link between our choices in clothing and mood when she noticed that opioid users in her community were going through withdrawal and she realised the ability of fashion to be used as a healing modality.


The impact of clothing on wellbeing at work

Professor Karen Pine, co-author of Flex: Do Something Different, conducted a study revealing that women's clothing choices are closely linked to their emotional state. When asked about their clothing preferences during times they felt depressed, more than half of the one hundred women surveyed said they wear jeans, while only a third chose jeans when feeling happy.


The study's psychologists concluded that the strong connection between clothing and mood suggests that we should wear outfits we associate with happiness, even when we're feeling down. Professor Pine explained that the findings showed how clothing not only affects how others perceive us but also impacts our own mood. Many women in the study felt they could improve their mood by changing their attire, highlighting the psychological power of clothing and its potential to enhance happiness.


Feeling comfortable, confident, and happy, particularly at work, has obvious flow-on effects on creative problem-solving, team morale, overall well-being, and inevitably, productivity. Therefore, exploring clothing options that boost mood should be encouraged in the workplace.


Psychological impact of dopamine dressing

Colour psychology

Colours can have a significant impact on our mood and emotions. Bright colours like yellow, orange, and pink are often associated with positive feelings and energy, research has shown that these colours can increase feelings of happiness and optimism. Shades of blue and green correlate with calmness and relaxation, while neutrals are associated with balance and stability, providing a soothing and grounded effect.


Fashion and self-perception

The term, enclothed cognition, refers to the influence that clothes have on the our psychological processes! When we wear clothes that we associate with happiness or confidence, we may experience these emotions more intensely.


Self-expression, identity and authenticity

Clothing give us a powerful voice to self-expression. Wearing clothes that align with our identity and personal style not only enhances our self-esteem and confidence, but also helps us connect with our authentic selves. This, in turn, can lead to a more positive mood and a greater sense of comfort in our own skin.


Social perception and interaction

The way others perceive us based on our clothing not only impacts our mood, but also theirs. Positive feedback and compliments on our outfit can enhance our self-image and increase feelings of happiness, and additionally, our clothing choices can bring joy and positivity to those around us. Think of it as moveable pieces of art. 


How to infuse your work wardrobe with dopamine

Explore fit, texture and colour

Play around with how different outfits fit and the textures feel against your skin, all of these can impact your mood and energy levels. For example, notice how wearing a stiff cotton blue shirt makes you feel compared to a pin striped orange silk suit. My closet is organised by colour in order to make it easier for me to decide the mood I want to create or the mood I want to shift out of. When I worked in a clinical hospital setting, strict dress codes limited my creative expression, but I found that incorporating bright colours, playful cuts and textures brought positive reactions from patients. They often expressed joy at seeing something other than the usual navy scrubs, proving how our clothing can lift spirits and make a difference to those around us.


Personal style

Find your inner personal style, what vibes with you, what puts a smile on your face when you wear it? It could be as simple as a necklace, or a favourite watch. Workplaces can encourage employees to embrace their personal style to increase job satisfaction, fostering a sense of individuality and promoting overall happiness.


Comfort and functionality

Don’t underestimate the impact of functional and comfortable clothes. If what you’re wearing is too tight, or your shoes hurt, it affects how you move, which in turn impacts how you feel! However, be cautious about being too relaxed or comfortable in your clothing, especially when working from home. Clothes that are too casual can lead to sloppy work. Be a little creative in your attire when working from home, explore options that enhance your mood and appearance. Notice the shift when you consciously put more effort into how you look – your posture even improves.


Cultural inclusivity: Embracing authenticity in dress at your workplace

As an employer you can support dopamine dressing by implementing casual dress codes (casual Fridays), offering flexible work attire policies, and organising themed dress-up days to boost employee morale and well-being. Be sure to support not only individual self-expression but also accommodate diverse cultural backgrounds by allowing your employees to integrate meaningful clothing that reflects cultural identity.

 

Australian success stories

Several Australian companies have embraced flexible dress codes and the wearing of meaningful attire to support their employee’s well-being and creativity, here’s a few:


Atlassian, the Australian software company, promotes a casual and flexible dress code that allows employees to dress comfortably, and more importantly, authentically. This approach fosters creativity and collaboration.


Canva, the graphic design platform, supports a dress code that aligns with its creative and inclusive culture. Employees are encouraged to dress in a way that reflects their personal style, which has led to a more vibrant workplace atmosphere, which inevitably flows onto work ethos.


Envato, a global digital marketplace, offers flexible dress codes and promotes an environment where employees can express themselves through their clothing.


These Australian companies have seen positive outcomes, such as improved morale, enhanced creativity, and increased job satisfaction, by integrating flexible dress codes and supporting individual expression through clothing.


Dress for success

Dopamine dressing offers a new take on the classic adage dress for success, proving there's genuine wisdom in the phrase. It highlights the intersection of fashion, psychology, and neurobiology, showing us how our clothing can influence our mental and emotional well-being. By integrating dopamine dressing into a workplace culture, you can cultivate a more engaged and motivated workforce, spark greater innovation, and improve overall well-being, performance, and success. Personally embracing this approach not only enhances your wellbeing but is also your contribution to a vibrant and productive work environment.


So, what are you going to wear today?




References: 

Adam, H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2012). Enclothed Cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

Kaiser, S. B. (1997). The Social Psychology of Clothing: Symbolic Appearances in Context. Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture.

Mahnke, F. H. (1996). Color, Environment, and Human Response. Color Research and Application.

Rucker, D. D., & Galinsky, A. D. (2008). Conspicuous consumption versus utilitarian ideals: How different levels of power shape consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Research.

Schultz, W. (1998). Predictive reward signal of dopamine neurons. Nature Neuroscience.



 

This article is authored by Nicole Sultana, who holds a Post Graduate Degree in Spiritual Care, a Post Graduate Certificate in Business (Marketing), and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sports Science/Human Movement. In addition, she is a Certified Therapeutic Sound Practitioner and a Death Doula. Nicole is the founder of Sound Consciousness, a company that offers wellbeing strategies and therapeutic sound practices to help individuals achieve peak performance in their professional lives, relationships, and personal aspirations.


If you found this article interesting, please leave a comment below and share it with others who might find it beneficial. Sharing our experiences helps us all learn, grow, and heal together. We welcome lively discussions, as they contribute to our multifaceted humanity. Let's remember to approach discussions with respect and kindness at heart.


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