Explore how to connect with your inner self.
by Mia Thompson
Updated: June 6, 2022
Originally Published: Feb. 19, 2021
Imagine a world devoid of color—pretty dreary, right? Colors enrich our lives with vibrancy and joy. Have you ever felt uplifted and invigorated by the bright hues of a blooming garden or the radiant colors of a rainbow? There’s a reason for that. Known as chromotherapy or color therapy, this alternative healing method is rooted in the belief that colors and colored lights can provide physical and emotional health benefits.
Certain colors and their frequencies are believed to help alleviate a variety of physical and emotional issues. From anxiety and depression to chronic pain, the right colors may offer healing. Curious about how color therapy could benefit you? Keep reading for valuable insights, including tips on how to infuse more color into your life.
What is Color Therapy?
Color therapy has its roots dating back to Ancient Egypt, where people believed in the healing power of light and different colors. Today, this therapy employs color and light to address mental and physical challenges by harmonizing the body’s energy centers, known as chakras. Each chakra corresponds to a specific color, influencing various aspects of our daily lives, from relationships to communication. Advocates of color therapy assert that illness can stem from imbalances in these chakras. For example, the root chakra, symbolized by red, is located at the base of the spine and represents our sense of security. If you experience feelings of anxiety, color therapy—specifically the color red—may help restore balance and alleviate discomfort.
Understanding Color Therapy Colors
Different colors resonate with us emotionally in distinct ways. Here’s a quick breakdown of their meanings:
- Green: Balance, harmony, love, social acceptance
- Yellow: Fun, humor, logic, creativity
- Blue: Calmness, peace, love, devotion
- Violet: Imagination, art, intuition
- Red: Passion, stability, spontaneity
- Orange: Pleasure, optimism, enthusiasm
What Are the Benefits?
The potential benefits of color therapy are extensive. They range from alleviating anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder to addressing circulatory issues, chronic pain, and sleep disturbances. While many alternative healers utilize this modality in their practices, mainstream Western medicine has yet to fully embrace it, leading to limited scientific validation. However, there is some evidence suggesting that light and color can aid in healing specific physical and mental conditions. For instance, light therapy is common in treating seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that tends to affect individuals during fall and winter. Yellow light therapy has been effective for certain eyesight problems, while red light therapy is used for various conditions, including acne scars and arthritis relief.
How to Incorporate Color Therapy Into Your Life
There are numerous easy ways to engage in color therapy, from wearing colored glasses to using coloring books. Here are some popular methods:
- Color Therapy Glasses: Various glasses are designed to evoke different emotional responses depending on their lens color. For instance, wearing red lenses can enhance feelings of empowerment. Note: Unlike sunglasses, these glasses should only be worn for about 30 to 60 minutes daily.
- Color Therapy Lights: Changing your home lighting to colors that align with desired therapeutic benefits can be simple. For example, blue lights can increase alertness, while red lights are ideal for relaxation before sleep.
- Color Therapy Books: There are several coloring books specifically designed to help with stress relief and relaxation.
Which Colors Catch the Human Eye?
The human eye is particularly sensitive to light at a wavelength of 555 nanometers, which is a bright green. So, when you head out for a run or bike ride, consider wearing something lime green—it’s one of the most visible colors to the human eye, even from great heights.
Color Therapy Exercises
To incorporate color therapy into your daily routine, try these exercises:
- Paint spontaneously and allow your brush to guide you.
- Express your feelings through art by painting what’s on your mind.
- Use different colored pens in your journal—write in green when anxious, red when uninspired, and yellow when feeling down.
- Listen to music with your eyes closed and let it influence your painting—then reflect on how your artwork relates to the song.
- Take your artistic expression outside by using your driveway or a large sheet of paper as your canvas, promoting an expansive sense of freedom.
For more insights on related topics, check out this post on home insemination and resources from UCSF.
Summary
Color therapy, rooted in ancient practices, holds promise for emotional and physical healing through the use of colors and light. Each color can evoke unique responses, impacting various aspects of our lives. Despite limited acceptance in mainstream medicine, many individuals find value in integrating color therapy into their routines to enhance well-being.