In college, young women should have fun, go out and enjoy their time in school. Along with all the excitement, though, many young women can begin to feel sad because of the pressures of academic success. But according to one psychologist, feeling happier can be as easy as changing your underwear.

Maryann Troiani, a psychologist and co-author of Change Your Underwear, Change Your Life: Quick & Easy Ways to Feel Fun, Exciting and Vibrant, says the underwear a woman chooses says a lot about her general mood and self-confidence.

Troiani discovered the importance of underwear in relation to women’s self-worth when she surveyed more than 500 women who were leading happy, confident lives. “We asked the women what made them feel good about themselves and underwear kept popping up,” she says.

It wasn’t long before the surveys began to show some patterns: certain styles and colors of underwear reflected a positive frame of mind in women. For example, women who wore yellow underwear were more energetic and creative, while those who wore green underwear were more stable and generous.

Katie Self, Lawrence senior, has noticed the effect of underwear on her own mood as well. According to Self, wearing cute underwear always makes her feel more attractive than if she were wearing plain underwear. “It definitely makes you feel better about yourself,” she says.

Interesting, considering the other side. Women who were often depressed or unhappy wore cotton underwear in basic white or black every day without ever wearing something more daring.

The key to letting underwear change your overall mood, Troiani says, is trying something new, like a colorful thong or something high cut to make you feel sexier and better about your body. “The problem with plain white panties is they hide womanly graces and curves,” she says. “Color shows real individuality. If you always wear white, be experimental and try something more sexy and mysterious.”

The trick is getting rid of all the old “frumpy” underwear that can lower your mood, Troiani says. She suggests women make the leap to a more daring style for a few weeks and watch as their moods improve. Then throw away all of your old underwear. “Don’t feel frumpy anymore,” Troiani says. “You should buy new underwear at least every six months, but three times a year is ideal.”

Changing your underwear can do more than just heighten your mood. This wardrobe change can also help spice up your romantic relationships.

Troiani suggests playing what she calls “The Underwear Game.” Wear a different color panty each day. Then, instead of showing your partner, simply lean over and whisper the color in your significant other’s ear once a day.

At the end of the day, the couple is giggly and playful, Troiani says. “It takes only two seconds and it can make a relationship fun and give it a real spark,” Troiani says.

The reaction a woman gets from her partner has the potential to make her more confident. When a woman wears a sexier type of underwear, she can begin to feel better about her body, and the new positive attitude can begin to rub off on her partner, strengthening their bond.

Megan Mercer, a former KU student, agrees. “There are a lot of stipulations about how certain groups of people should dress and act, but when it comes down to it, you’re all naked under your clothes, just like everyone else,” she says.

Besides the reactions that can be brought about by others who see the underwear, adding a personal touch to your unmentionables can help reflect individuality, even if you aren’t allowed to show it on the outside.

Graduation leads many girls into the workforce, dressing in a basic black suit from day to day. Troiani suggests wearing lacey underwear or pantyhose without underwear at all under your professional uniform. “You can conform to what society wants on the outside while being feminine and sexy underneath your clothes and no one needs to know,” she says.

The bottom line (excuse the pun) is: If you want to feel sexy, adventurous, daring and like an overall different person, make the change. As we enter into spring, experiment with new styles and vibrant colors. Change your underwear style and see if it changes you.