How To use Colour For Overall Health And Wellness | Episode 6

In this episode Joanne discusses the psychology of colour and share tips on how you can utilise colour for your overall health and wellness.

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*This podcast does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and its contents are intended for informational purposes only.

Transcript

Welcome to Episode Six of our Full Spectrum Wellness Podcast. I'm so happy to be back here with you for our sixth episode.

I woke up this morning and out of the corner of my eye I spotted a tiny stream of sunshine shining through the curtains. When I got up and looked out the sky was blue, and the sun was warming on my face, scalp and shoulders. I love this time of year, clean, crisp fresh air and autumnal colours, various shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown. This got me thinking about colour therapy and reminded me how powerful and effective it can be. Even though I have been using colour therapy with my clients and teaching the subject matter in our Colour Therapy Diploma courses for many years it never ceases to amaze me.

In the visible light spectrum, what we see when there is a rainbow in the sky or when we shine white light through a prism, just like Newton’s experiment the colour we see depends on its frequency. When we view an object, what we are seeing is reflected light because some wavelengths are absorbed by it and some are reflected by it. Different wavelengths look like different so when we look up at a blue sky it’s because the sky is absorbing all the colours of light except for the blue. The frequency of light that we see as blue is being reflected and we see the sky as blue.
 
 Black and white are a bit different from all the other colours in that white is a combination of all colours, so when we see something white, it’s reflecting all the colours of light in equal amounts at the same time. Black is the opposite; this is effectively the absence of colour because when we see something black it is absorbing all the colours of light.

Various studies into the psychology of colour suggest that our thoughts, feelings, moods, emotions and behaviour as well as health and wellness can be affected by colour. For example, bright white, full-spectrum, light has been used in the treatment of cancers, seasonal affective disorder, eating disorders, insomnia, and alcohol and drug dependency. Blue light has been used in the treatment of a wide variety of psychological problems, including addictions, eating disorders, impotence, and depression. 

At the other end of the spectrum, red light has been shown to be effective in the treatment of migraine headaches and cancer. In non-medical settings the behaviour of the prisoners differed significantly depending on which wing they lived in and what colour it was painted. Those in the red and yellow wings were more inclined to violence than those in the blue and green wings. Prison cells, police stations, youth centres and school classrooms have also been painted pink in various studies to calm, sooth and relax. Retailers use it to influence buying decisions or make use feel a certain way.

To demonstrate how colour makes us feel a certain way close your eyes and imagine your life, your world completely devoid of colour, just shades and tones of grey. How does that make you feel? Now just like a painting by numbers project begin to colour in your life, your world with bright vivid colours. How do you feel now?

Colour is energy and when this energy enters our bodies, it stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands. This affects the production of certain hormones, which in turn affects a variety of physiological processes. The shorter the wavelength, the stronger the underlying physical and psychological effect will be. It’s even been shown in studies that when blind people were asked to identify colours with their fingertips, they were all able to do so quite easily and it’s thought that this is because they were able to sense the colour as a result of energy vibrations created within the body. 

Colour plays an important role in our lives, most of the time without us even realising it because we react instinctively to it. For example, Red means "stop" and green means "go." Our brains are designed to respond to colour.

Research studies have also shown that colour can: 

• Moods or feelings in regards to space. Light and cool colours seem to expand space whereas dark and warm colours seem to enclose space.
• Affect perception of weight and size. Dark and bright colours seem heavier than light and cool colours. The opposite effect is true in fashion design. Dark colours tend to slim the figure, whereas light colours are usually thought to make the wearer look heavier.
• Affect perception of temperature. Studies have indicated that body temperature fluctuates in response to various colours. For example, red, orange, and yellow can raise one's temperature whereas cool colours have the opposite reaction.
• Cause feelings of boredom and calmness, or stimulation and liveliness. Colours may cause the nervous system to become agitated, and the body reacts in negative ways to this stimulus.
• Affect reaction to sounds, taste, odours, and time perception.
• Improve the rate of recovery in cases of sickness or disease.
• Cause our heart rate and blood pressure to rise, for example when we look at intense reds.
• Cause tiredness or anxiety for example when looking at large areas of bright whites or greys.

Each colour has both positive and negative attributes and healing properties. Let’s look at the seven colours of the spectrum and the chakra system:

Red, the colour associated with the root chakra and our physical being is linked to problems such as constipation, diarrhoea, piles, colitis, Crohn's disease, cold fingers and toes, frequency of urination, hypertension or high blood pressure, kidney stones, boils, skin problems, infections, inflammation, impotence, and problems with hips, legs, and feet. Its positive attributes are courage, grounding, stability, security, strength, warmth, power, confidence, safety, vitality, ambition, pioneering spirit, and alertness. Its negative attributes are defiance, fear, domineering, resentful, aggression, strain, irritability, hostility, impatience, demanding, obstinate, self-pitying, quick tempered, anger, ruthlessness. Red’s healing properties are that it stimulates and energises, aids tiredness and lethargy, stimulates low blood pressure and appetite, boosts sluggish circulation, raises heart rate, treats infections, helps arthritis, rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica, menstrual pain, and anaemia.

Orange, the colour associated with the sacral chakra and our emotional and feeling self is linked to problems such as pre-menstrual syndrome, problems with menstrual flow, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, testicular disease, prostate disease, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, addictive behaviour, and depression. Its positive attributes are joyfulness, self-confidence, enthusiasm, sociable, creativity, sensuality, passion, tolerance, physical comfort, warmth, security, abundance, and fun. Its negative attributes are despondency, exhibitionism, frivolity, dependency, destructiveness, unsociable, difficulty interacting with others, deprivation, frustration, immaturity, irresponsibility. Orange’s healing properties are that it is an emotional stimulant, relieves repressions, stimulates, and energises, aids creativity, stimulates appetite and aids the digestive system.

Yellow, the colour associated with the solar plexus chakra and our mental and thinking self is linked to problems such as diabetes, pancreatitis, liver disease, peptic ulcer, Coeliac's disease, gall stones, illnesses with psychosomatic causes. Its positive attributes are broad minded, good-humoured, confidence, wisdom, logical, intellectual, positive, optimism, self-esteem, extraversion, emotional strength, friendliness, creativity, mental clarity, inspiration, and optimism. Its negative attributes are vindictive, inferiority, pessimistic, cowardly, devious, over analytical, irrationality, fear, emotional fragility, sarcastic, arrogant, depression, anxiety, superficiality, hyperactivity, low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence, defensive, withdrawn. Yellow’s healing properties are that it lifts spirits and self-esteem, increases awareness, stimulates interest and curiosity, aids memory, helpful with study or where concentration is required, aids digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome, treats skin conditions, eczema, and eases depression.

Green, the colour associated with the heart chakra and our loving self is linked to problems such as heart disease, diseases of the immune system, allergies, breast cancer, vaginal infections, intestinal problems. Its positive attributes are peace, renewal, love, hope, balance, harmony, self-control, growth, generosity, compassion, adaptability, harmony, sympathetic, sensitive, adaptable, and loving. Its negative attributes are laziness, indifferent, jealousy, stagnation, inconsiderate, envy, resentment, possessiveness, anxiety, greed, and over sensitivity. Green’s healing properties are that it cleanses and balances energy, gives a feeling of renewal, peace and harmony, reduces stress, heals trauma, provides relaxation, eases depression, anxiety, nervousness, aids cardiac conditions, high blood pressure and ulcers.

Blue, the colour associated with the throat chakra and our expressive self is linked to problems such as thyroid problems, both overactive and underactive, asthma, bronchitis, hearing problems, tinnitus, problems of the upper digestive tract, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, sore throat, and tonsillitis. Its positive attributes are loyalty, tactful, trustworthy, peaceful, calm, creativity, knowledge, decisiveness, personal expression, intelligence, communication, efficiency, serenity, duty, logic, reflection, and calm. Its negative attributes are coldness, untrustworthiness, self-righteousness, unfaithful, tiredness, depression, pessimistic, insecurity, unemotional, unfriendliness, aloofness, withdrawn, stubbornness. Blues healing properties are that it is soothing, calming, relaxing, healing. It has a pacifying effect on the nervous system, aids concentration, meditation, asthma, and hyperactivity, is ideal for sleep problems such as insomnia, promotes wisdom and clarity enhancing communication and speech and reduces inflammation.

Indigo, the colour associated with the third eye chakra and our universal seeing self is linked to problems such as tension headache, migraine, visual defects, short-sightedness, long-sightedness, glaucoma, cataracts, sinus problems, ear problems, mental illness, anxiety, and hallucinations. Its positive attributes are insightfulness, imagination, highly intuitive, faithful, integrity, fearless, sense of unity, articulate. Its negative attributes are depression, separateness, fearful, intolerance, impractical, judgmental, inconsiderate, depressive, inability to trust intuition, avoidance. Indigos healing properties are that it is a sedative, it strengthens intuition, imagination, psychic powers, increases dream activity. It’s a strong painkiller and has antiseptic properties.

Violet, the colour associated with the crown chakra and our knowing and spiritual self is linked to problems such as depression, Parkinson's disease, senile dementia, schizophrenia, epilepsy, alzheimer's, mental disorders, confusion, dizziness, manic depression, sciatica. Its positive attributes are reverence for all, humanitarian, kind, just, idealism, vision, luxury, truth, authenticity. Its negative attributes are feelings of superiority, no concern for others, selfishness, self-centred, fanatics, lack of contact with reality, introversion, decadence, suppression, inferiority, arrogance. Violets healing properties are that it is helps diseases of the scalp, sciatica, tumours, rheumatism, cerebro-spinal meningitis, concussion, cramps and epilepsy, aids sleep disorders, stress, and meditation, enhances artistic talent and creativity. 

To be happy and healthy we need an equal exposure of all the colours of the visible light spectrum. The best way to do this is to get these energies or frequencies from the sun but we can also do it in other ways. We can book in for a colour therapy session or we can add colour to our diet, making sure we eat foods or drink juices from each of the colour groups, a rainbow diet.

We can spend time outdoors in nature surrounded by beautiful natural colours, either by sitting in the garden, walking through the countryside, or visiting a park. 

Colour can be used in our home or office to create a relaxed, harmonious atmosphere in your environment. Think about the type of environment you wish to create, calm, relaxing or stimulating.

We can relax in a colour bath, use crystals and gemstones by putting them in your bath, pocket or purse, on your desk or hold them when you meditate. We can also use essential oils in diffusers, body misters or room sprays.

• Base notes, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood are red energies. Red oils are healing and harmonising.
• Orange, Bergamot and Melissa are the orange vibration, and they are top notes. Orange oils are an uplifting, happy energy. 
• Yellow and Green are classified as middle notes. Yellow oils Rosemary and Lemon are mentally stimulating, and the green oils Eucalyptus or Pine give a balancing harmonic feeling. 
• Blue, Indigo, and Violet are top notes. Chamomile is relaxing, Patchouli is meditative, and Lavender is calming. 

Colour breathing and visualisation are great ways to get colour into your system. Close your eyes and visualise, imagine, feel, sense, or know that you are breathing in red, then orange, then yellow, then green, then blue, then indigo, then violet, a rainbow of colours filling every organ, every gland and every cell.

We can wear colour because clothing acts as colour filters, filtering the light falling on the skin which is then filtered into the tissue and cells. How many times have you purchased an item of clothing only to put in your wardrobe and its still there with the price tags on? I’m going to give you a little tip that may save you money. Next time you have the urge to buy a new top or dress stop! Leave the shop and go and have a drink or piece of fruit in the same colour and 30 minutes later return to the shop. If you still want to buy the top or dress that’s ok, but if you are no longer attracted to it and no longer have the urge to buy it that’s because you have satisfied your body’s need for that frequency.

I hope this episode has made you appreciate colour a little more and given you food for thought about how you can utilise it for health and wellness. Have a colourful week.