Heal with Colors

It has been shown that the color affects our mood. Some colors make us uneasy, while other colors gives out a warm comfortable feeling. Orange can be a stressful color, while blue is a calm color. This therapy has been used for the healing abilities in treating emotional and physical disturbances. A therapist can use various color and light to heal the energy of the patient. This energy can be emotional, physical or spiritual.

The theory of color therapy dates back to a physician and scholar, Avicenna (c. 980 - 1037), who viewed colors to be an effective treatment. Avicenna discussed color therapy (also known as chromotherapy) in his book “The Canon of Medicine. He wrote that "Color is an observable symptom of disease." In his view, he believed yellow reduced muscular pain and inflammation, red moved the blood and blue or white cooled it. He also discussed how subjects became responsive to colors for healing.

Following in the 19th century, healers claimed colored glass filters could treat many diseases. In 1942, Russian scientists found that red light stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, while white and blue light stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Color therapy has not been a proven science. Not enough studies have been done. But we are all aware that colors have a psychological power over our moods and impulses. Businesses know this and take advantage of it. It has been suggested by therapist that color can help us gain that balance in life.

Red:

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. Fast food restaurants often use red in some form within the interior to speed up the person eating the food. This has two purposes to either hurry them along or not allow enough time to digest their food, so they might want to order more. It is also the color to prompt a person to spend more on a product. Red makes a person look heavier in clothing. Red clothing might not help people in negotiations. Owning red cars targets thieves more than any other color. This color is used in furniture and decorating for it attracts attention.

Pink:

The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Bright pink in sports has been said to stripe the opposing team’s energy.

Orange

Stimulates the digestive system and useful for patients who have lost their appetite. Stimulation of the sexual organs is also proven. It strengthens the immune system. It can also heal the lungs and increase the energy levels. Orange can have a negative effect, walls painted in bright orange can make a person nevious.

Brown:

This is an earthy color. It allows a person to feel at home. Brown is a solid color and gives balance with nature. Light brown implies genuineness Brown can also be sad and wistful. Brown is more of a favorite color among men than women.

Yellow:

Yellow is bright, happy, cheerful, sunny and a gets someone’s attention. Considered an optimistic color, though it is a color where people lose their tempers more often. Babies in yellow rooms will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration and speeds metabolism.

Blue:

This is the color used in therapy. If gives out a peaceful and tranquil feeling. Blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals. The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing dark blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. People are more likely to stay longer in a gym while exercising in a blue room and weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights.

Green:

It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. Green symbolizes nature and springtime. It is a calming, refreshing color. People sit in green rooms to relax. Hospitals often use the color green in rooms to calm a patient. Dark green implies wealth. In the middle ages, brides wore green to symbolize fertility. Green is a therapeutic color.

Purple:

The color of royalty, luxury, wealth, and sophistication, Kings are associated with purple. It is a romantic color. It is rare color in nature and can appear artificial. Purple suppress hunger and balances the body metabolism. Lighter shades of purple give out a soothing effect.

White:

White has been known as innocence and purity as in an angel or a bride. White is a summer color because it reflects light. This is a color that is neutral and be used with everything. Medical staff often wears white to imply sterility.

Black:

Black symbolizes authority and power. It gives a thinning appearance in fashion and a color that is timeless and stylish. Black can mean submission in religion. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Black can mean evil and overpowering. Villains wear black.

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