Incorporating colour therapy into your day

Colour therapy, also known as chromotherapy, is a holistic therapy that uses colour and light to treat both physical and mental health conditions while also promoting overall well-being. Colour therapy is based on the idea that each colour has its own distinct wavelength and unique energy frequencies that can influence our physical, emotional, and mental states.

When we see a specific colour, it is processed in our brains as signals that influence various brain regions related to emotions, memory, and other functions. The effect of colours on mood and feelings can be explained by how these signals interact with the brain. 

For example, warm colours like red and orange are often associated with stimulation, excitement, and energy due to their shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies. Whereas cooler colours such as blue and green, with longer wavelengths and lower frequencies, tend to evoke feelings of calmness, relaxation, and stability.

How can you apply colour therapy to day-to-day life?

Incorporating colour therapy into your daily routine involves being aware of the colours in your environment and intentionally using them to support and improve mental and emotional well-being. It's important to note that personal preferences and individual experiences may vary, so it's recommended to try different colours and observe how they make you feel.

Home environment 

When choosing colours for each room in your home, keep the desired mood and purpose in mind. Warm colours, such as red and orange, can create a comfortable and lively atmosphere, making them great for social and entertainment spaces like living rooms and kitchens. Cooler colours, such as blue and green, are known for producing a relaxing ambience and improving sleep quality, making them a good choice for restful spaces such as bedrooms and snugs.

Colourful wardrobe

By wearing colours that match your desired mood, you can tap into the psychological effects of different colours. For instance, wearing blue can promote calmness and relaxation, while yellow can boost energy and positivity. Remember, the impact of colours is personal so try to explore and experiment with different hues to discover what works best for you in different situations and moods.

Healing crystals

In colour therapy, each colour is linked to a specific chakra, which are the energy centres in our body. There are seven chakras which correlate to the seven colours of the spectrum. Similarly, certain crystals are linked to particular chakras. For example, a pink crystal like rose quartz might be placed on the heart chakra to promote love and emotional healing. Blue crystals like celestite and angelite are known for their calming and soothing energies, making them particularly beneficial for easing anxiety. You may choose to wear certain coloured crystal jewellery such as necklaces, and bracelets to carry these healing properties with you throughout the day.

Mindfulness 

Throughout the day, take time to notice the colours in your surroundings. Think about how different colours affect your mood and energy levels. When spending time in nature, pay attention to the colours that surround you, observe the natural greens of foliage, the blues of the sky, and the various colours of the trees and flowers. This awareness can help you make conscious choices about the colours you surround yourself with and how they impact your mood. 

Art and creativity

Colours can be used to express different thoughts and emotions and can be especially useful if you find it difficult to say what you are feeling. In creative practises such as colouring and painting, you can use bright, vivid colours or darker, more muted tones to express how you're feeling or what you want to say. For example, bright yellows can represent excitement and happiness in your artwork, while darker, gloomier shades might reflect stress or anxiety.

Visualisation

Colour visualisation techniques, such as ‘colour breathing’ can be used to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Colour breathing involves imagining a relaxing colour entering your body, while you take a deep breath and when you breathe out, visualising the stress and tension leaving your body through an unfavourable/disliked colour. Practising colour breathing throughout the day can help you manage stress and maintain a sense of calm. 

Colour therapy glasses

Colour therapy glasses are designed to filter out certain colours of light while allowing others to pass through, which is believed to have a therapeutic effect on the mind and body. By exposing the eyes to specific colours of light, colour therapy glasses can stimulate the brain and promote the release of neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating emotions. For example, red glasses can help increase energy and stimulate the body, while yellow glasses can enhance concentration and mental clarity.

Working with a colour therapist

Some colour therapists believe they can read people's auras and perceive which colours are needed to address any imbalances. During a session, a practitioner will typically begin by assessing your current state and understanding your goals. They may identify any blocked chakras and select the appropriate colours to help restore balance to these energies. They may guide you through visualisations where you imagine yourself being surrounded by healing colours or lead you through a guided meditation, focusing on the colours associated with your chakras.

If you’re looking to work with colour therapy and want the guidance of a professional, we recommend reaching out to a practitioner directly to discuss their individual approach and methods.