Harness the Healing Power of Colours - January 2025

The human eye only perceives about 0.0035% of the electromagnetic spectrum; that's only about a fraction of visible light. There are colours out there in the universe that we have and will probably never see without the help of advanced technology. And yet the ones that are received by our limited human faculties have considerable power over our minds and by extension, our bodies. Humans have always been fascinated by colours and the myriad of effects it has on the senses. Some colours calm and soothe us, others excite and stimulate our psyche. Our ancestors used simple pigments from crushed minerals to document their prehistoric knowledge on stone walls, and used dyes to indicate social hierarchy. Purple, for instance, has always been associated with royalty and nobility because of how expensive and difficult it was to produce the pigment. Even animals use colour for camouflage, warning, seduction and even when hunting for food. In Hinduism, they have the concept of chakras, metaphysical energy centers of the body aligned along the spine that resonate different colour signatures. This later expanded to various esoteric philosophies like auras and subtle bodies. Leading to the notion that colours, whether worn on the body, perceived by the eyes, or even visualised in the mind can greatly influence our spiritual health and wellbeing. In modern times, the power of colours have taken on a more psychological slant, i.e. colour therapy. What is Colour Therapy While not backed by science, colour therapy or 'chromotherapy', has been used for decades as an alternative treatment for ailments both physical and psychic. It is rooted in the belief that being exposed to colours (and oftentimes even coloured light or crystals) can influence your health in a variety of ways. Some experts have equated these findings with placebo or the power of suggestion. However, the study of colour psychology does exist, which examines the psychological effect certain colours have on the mind. Colour psychology has been used in many things like marketing and interior designing. Some colours, for instance, invoke certain feelings in people that influence them into a certain way of thinking. Many fast food chains use red and orange because those colours have been known to stimulate appetite. When applied to early childhood development, many daycares and kindergartens and special needs facilities use colour theory to provide a soothing and welcoming atmosphere by painting walls in calming colours and using furniture with muted tones. Colour therapy has also been used extensively in some alternative treatments for autism. On the other end of the spectrum, pardon the pun, light therapy or phototherapy (that uses different coloured LED lights) also has some real health-based benefits, particularly for skin and hair. Blue LED light, for instance, has been somewhat proven to help with acne, and red LED light has been used to reverse photoaging, reduce inflammation and even promote hair growth. There are dozens of LED skin treatment facilities that use colour-based phototherapy to treat skin ailments. However, more research is needed to confirm the efficacy and long-lastingness of these results. Properties of Various Colours Each colour has its own association, correspondences, symbolism, properties, history and 'effects'. For example, humans have come to associate the colour yellow with the sun so themes of vitality, energy, divinity, hope and happiness often come up. Green is the colour of nature and its often associated with growth, abundance, health and often even wealth. Here are just some common colours and what effects they can stimulate in our minds when we encounter them in our daily lives. This also applies to their prescribed properties when used as part of colour therapy such as with light and crystals. Red: Often associated with danger, blood, war, etc. It is stimulating, arousing, and attention-grabbing. Blue: Often associated with the sky and sea. It is calming, and encourages creativity and clear thought. Yellow: Often associated with the sun and flowers. It is uplifting and increases self-esteem. Green: Often associated with leaves and trees. It is balancing, and helps people adjust to new surroundings. Purple: Often associated with royalty and spirituality. It is inspiring and can improve intuition. Orange: Often associated with autumn and fruits. It is also stimulating and may increase appetite. Benefits of Colour Therapy It May Offer Psychological Benefits Depending on what kind of colour therapy is used, you may experience varying affects. However, there is generally two ways of using colours to affect mood, behaviour, and even attitude. There is passive colour therapy (painted walls, wearing coloured clothing/accessories), and active colour therapy (light therapy, visualisation, meditation, crystal healing). Most colour therapy centers will have large industrial-sized LED lamps suspended over a massage bed. You basically bathe in a coloured light for a few minutes depending on your ailment. If you're dealing with depression, they may expose you to yellow light. If you have anxiety, they may use blue light. But if you want to do some colour therapy at home, you can buy those small bedside table night lamps that can switch to different colours. This may be enough to create the desired effect. You can also harness the power of colours by repainting your bedroom, wearing different coloured clothes or even consuming colourful foods. It May Offer Physical Benefits That's right, certain colours can also have a profound effect on the body, by using the mind as a proxy. Businesses use this trick all the time to influence their workers and customers to behave in desired ways. Some colours can promote the productivity of workers and others can influence customers to buy more products. As we see, colours don't just create psychological changes, they can also drive us to do certain things. Yellow, red and orange can stimulate and arouse us, giving us energy and vitality. These warm colours can even help us perform better and faster at work, and when we exercise. Meanwhile, cooler colours like blue can calm and sedate us, lowering our blood pressure and even helping us study or fall asleep. It Encourages Cathartic Expression Colour therapy is also often implemented as art therapy. Due to the cultural, biological and historical significance of colours, we can create works of art that express our inner struggles and turmoils. Red for anger, blue for sadness, or black for pain. By expressing our emotions through subconscious associations we have with various colours, we can sublimate those negative feelings. Creating a sense of relief. This is what is known as catharsis. And anyone can use art to their their advantage. You don't need an easel or a canvas to start venting. A drawing block and some cheap water colours is enough to help you start a conversation with brush and paint. Some artists often use visceral and instinctive techniques to simulate emotional responses. When accompanied with the use of associated colours, the effect is magnified. Allowing the artist to capture his 'inner demons' into the artwork. Neutralising their ability to cause further harm. Leading a More Colourful Life While more research is needed to support the benefits of colour therapy, many proponents of the practice swear by its efficacy. But as with any alternative treatment or wellness intiative, it's just one of those things you have to try for yourself. However, as far as those go, using colours to change undesirable aspects of your life is probably the most harmless one. Some of the advice isn't necessarily bad either. For example, many who subscribe to the concept believe that eating natural foods that contain all the colours of the rainbow can nourish your aura (red for tomatoes, pumpkin for orange, etc.) - Hey, more veggies for your body, right? Things like crystals are also pretty harmless as long as they're affordable and ethically sourced. Even some colour therapy lamps are inexpensive, and so are art supplies. So, there are many ways to incorporate the healing power of colours into your life. Why don't you give it a try and see if it truly is the magical wonder pill that it's claimed to be? Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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