If you're blue now that the holidays are over, you may be able pick up your spirits by adding some new color to your home.

So says Debbie Zimmer, color expert for the Paint Quality Institute, who advises that interior painting can be a panacea for much of what ails you after the holidays."It's normal to have a letdown this time of year, but jumping right into a project that freshens your surroundings with some attractive new color can recharge your batteries and even brighten your outlook," says Zimmer.Post-holiday painting is supported by some strong logic: winter is an ideal time to start an interior project; with no holiday event on the immediate horizon, you can work at a pace that suits you best; and your walls may well need to be painted after enduring the wear and tear of the festive season.Even so, the biggest beneficiary of new interior paint color may not be the bricks and mortar you call "home" - but rather, you yourself!Keeping busy, whether by painting or doing something else, helps create a feeling of well-being; and painting typically produces a rewarding sense of accomplishment. Plus, introducing certain colors into your surroundings is a proven way to improve your mood.Any new wall color may help lift your spirits, but for the biggest psychological lift, choose a happy hue.You might have a personal favorite that fits the bill; if not, psychologists have identified some specific wall colors that have a positive effect on nearly everyone.Top among pick-me-up hues is yellow, according to those who have studied these things.That's because yellow surroundings actually boost the level of serotonin in the brain, making one feel more joyful - creating, in effect, a "natural high."If yellow doesn't turn you on, then consider its close cousin, orange.According to color psychologists, tints and shades of orange give off positive vibes that we perceive as energy and warmth, both welcome feelings as winter sets in.Not a fan of yellow or orange?Then brighten your surroundings with an off-white paint color or another very light tint. Any of these will help combat the gray days that are so common this time of year. Just stick to the lighter side of the color chart and go with a color you love.No matter what color you end up choosing, Zimmer advises that you pay close attention to the sheen level."Gloss, semi-gloss, and satin paints are more reflective, so they make the interior brighter yet; gloss is great for trim, while semi-gloss or satin is better for walls," she says.So, if you're one of the many who need a pick-me-up after the holidays, think about picking up a paintbrush or roller and a can or two of top quality paint (100 percent acrylic is best).By doing some interior painting, you'll likely improve your spirits as much as your home.Need a little inspiration?If you want to know what's on trend, the paint and wallpaper company Farrow & Ball has released its key colors for spring.The four key colors are radicchio, studio green, hay and all white.According to the U.K.-based company, this season's colors encapsulate "both dramatic, vivid hues and more understated, subtle tones, the colors signal a readiness to embrace definite color within interiors as we become more confident in our decorating choices."These colors have "an enduring appeal that remains comfortingly familiar."Another trendsetter, especially where color is concerned is Pantone, a world-renowned authority on color. Each year the company selects a color, or colors, of the year.This year it's "greenery."The Pantone website also features color pairings to show what complements this fresh and zesty spring green.Before you paint, however, just remember it's important to pick a color you love and that you will love for more than just a season.And if you're not 100 percent sure, buy a sample of your favorites and apply them in different spots on different walls of the room your painting.Then look at the color different times during the day under different lighting conditions to make sure you still love it.For more information about interior painting and the psychology of color, visit the Paint Quality Institute online at

blog.paintquality.com.For more information on Farrow & Ball, visit

http://us.farrow-ball.com.Lifestyle editor Karen Cimms contributed to this story.