Have you ever observed your mood being affected by the colours around you? Maybe the colour black has made you feel sadness, or yellow has made you joyful. Colours play a huge role in our lives and affect our attitudes. Chromotherapy, also known as colour therapy, works on the principles of colour psychology. This branch of psychology studies the effects of colours on mood and behaviour.
It takes into consideration different factors like age and cultural background to determine how these effects differ in each setting. Colour psychology explores the meanings of colours, their physiological impacts, and emotional reactions. Chromotherapy considers these findings to, in turn, strike a balance in a person’s physical, mental and spiritual energy. This article explores how the knowledge of colours is used in this therapeutic method to contribute to healing and determines the effectiveness of Chromotherapy.
What is Chromotherapy?
Chromotherapy is a holistic method of therapy that is used to treat both physical and mental health issues using the visible spectrum of Electromagnetic Radiation. Each colour has its wavelength and frequency. When the human body interacts with a certain colour, it leads to the manifestation of energy. This energy has a certain result on the body, which can manifest in different forms like increased motivation or relief from stress and anxiety. Chromotherapy is used as a method to restore a person’s physical, mental, emotional or spiritual energy, and bring the body to a state of balance using colours.
Colours play an important role in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurveda (the science of life/ medicine), body chakras are stimulated by different colours to correct the imbalance. The seven chakras in each person are the main energy points of the body that run down the spine. This Chakra system is said to regulate body functions, including that of each organ and also a person’s immune system and metabolism. The origins of Chromotherapy can be dated back to the 19th century. The use of colours as healing methods can be traced in ancient Egypt, Greece, China and India. Today, colour therapy is being incorporated into everyday life as it is seen to be used in many places including saunas with chromo-therapeutic lighting. Colour psychology is also used as a technique in consumer psychology today.
Techniques of Chromotherapy:
Each colour has a different frequency, which has a unique effect on people. Thus, every colour is used for different purposes. Colour therapists believe that warm colours are used to instil stimulating effects, whereas cold colours are used for calming effects. They also believe that colour can be absorbed either through the eyes or the skin. Because of this, Chromotherapy consists of two main techniques.
- By Sight: In this method, you are required to directly look at colour in hopes of observing the desired response.
- Through Reflection: This method is different as colours are directly reflected on certain parts of the body.
Effects of Different Colors:
Now that you know that every colour has its effect on the body, let’s get to know about it more in detail to understand how colour therapists determine the colours to be used in therapy.
- Red: A warm colour and an energy stimulant, red can be used to tackle tiredness or exhaustion. Red colour therapy can also be useful for paralysis, circulatory disorder and rheumatic ailments. This therapy can have negative effects on people who are already tense.
- Blue: A cold colour with soothing elements, blue is used to deal with headaches, stress or symptoms of depression. Darker shades are believed to have sedative properties, thus they are used to help with insomnia.
- Yellow: It is a bright colour that is associated with improving one’s mood. It can help you feel joyful and optimistic. It can contribute to dealing with anxiety, stress or bronchial difficulties.
- Green: It is the colour of nature. It is credited with stress-relieving properties that can help in relaxing tense nerves.
- Orange: This colour also elicits happiness and helps in increasing appetite and mental activity.
A 2012 study on “The Effect of Chromotherapy for Reducing Levels of Hallucinations in Patients with Impaired Sensory Perception” shows that violet colour therapy has a positive influence as it decreases the level of hallucinations. It has also been found that Chromotherapy can help in balancing the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). This is worth noting as this balance in automated processes (such as heart rate and breathing) helps to reduce the chances of chronic diseases or functional disorders.
Benefits of Chromotherapy:
Chromotherapy can have many uses when used correctly. This requires one to know the effects each color has, and also what the therapy needs to focus on.
- Reduction in Muscle Swelling: A soothing effect helps relax muscles and accelerate healing.
- Relief from Pain: Pain is relieved by focusing on the particular source of the pain like inflammation, muscle tension, etc.
- Improvement in Blood Circulation: Frequencies of different colours that can mimic the effects of heat are used to elicit a positive impact on blood circulation.
- Mood Regulation: The endocrine system is stimulated to help with hormonal imbalances. Mood fluctuations are managed to give way to positive emotions.
- Acceleration in Healing Process: LED light therapy is used as a catalyst to make healing of burns, wounds or post-surgical scars more effective.
- Other Benefits: Chromotherapy has positive effects on diseases like breast cancer, peptic ulcer disease, depression, migraine, hyperthyroidism, colour blindness, etc. It can help in dealing with aggression, stress, high blood pressure, as well as sleeping disorders.
Some Practices to Instill in Yourself:
There are debates on the degree of effectiveness of Chromotherapy. However, it might be useful as a complementary treatment option. In the past few decades, Chromotherapy has been growing, as people have turned to it for positive benefits such as stress relief and energy boosts. The effect of colours on mood is undeniably present. You can incorporate colour psychology to improve your quality of life. The best part is that you do not have to spend a lot of money on it.
Avoid using electronics before your bedtime as the emission of blue light affects our circadian rhythm, hence affecting our sleep quality. Be wise while choosing the colours you surround yourself with. Choose one that elicits positive emotions. Set aside some time to spend in nature. This is sure to help you relax and return to your work with a clear and relaxed mind. There’s no known threat associated with the use of Chromotherapy, so let yourself explore the world of colours and extract all its benefits.
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