Tue sday, 9 Oct obe r 2012

Bring Colour Therapy Into Your Life!

Color is a universal, nonverbal language, and we all intuitively know how to speak it. What color you
paint your walls isn't just a matter of aesthetics. It's a tool that can be leveraged to affect emotions
and behavior.
In 1666, English scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that when pure white light passes through a
prism, it separates into all of the visible colors. Newton also found that each color is made up of a
single wavelength and cannot be separated any further into other colors.
Scientists have studied the effect of color on our mood, health and way of thinking for many years. Our
preference of one color over another may have something to do with the way color makes us feel.
If you like the idea of using color to create an emotionally healthy home, color consultants say you
should first consider the primary function of each room. Next, pick a predominant color. Although it
can't be proven scientifically, color consultants say some hues work better than others at encouraging
certain activities. Need ideas? Here's a room-by-room rundown of the colors believed to work best in
each of the most important rooms of your home, and the moods they create.
Living room and foyer paint colors. Warm tones like reds, yellows, and oranges, and earth tones like
brown and beige often work well in both the living room and foyer, because they're though to
stimulate conversation. "These are colors that encourage people to sit around and talk," says Kate
Smith, a color consultant in Lorton, Va. "You feel the warmth, the connection with other people."
Kitchen paint colors. Color consultants say that if you have fond memories of spending time in the
kitchen when you were a kid, it might make sense to recreate the color scheme in your grown-up
kitchen. "If you grew up in a blue-and-white kitchen and have great memories, blue and white may be
the best colors for you and your family," says Smith.
If there's no particular paint scheme you remember fondly, reds and yellows can be great colors in the
kitchen as well as in the living room and foyer. But watch out if you're watching your weight: in
addition to stimulating conversation, color consultants say that red may prompt you to eat more, if
only subtly. "If you're on a diet, you might want to keep red out of the kitchen," Harrington says,
adding that the restaurant industry has long recognized the appetite-stimulating power of red decor.
Dining room paint colors. Because it's stimulating, red decor can be great for a formal dining room. In
addition to encouraging conversation, it whets the appetites of your guests. "If your dining room is
red, people may think you are a better cook," says Harrington.

Bedroom paint colors. The bedroom is where you go to relax and reconnect with your partner. Cool
colors -- blues, greens and lavenders-- can be great choices here, because they are thought to have a
calming effect. The darker the hue, the more pronounced the effect is believed to be. "Reds tend to
increase blood pressure and heart rate and stimulate activity," says Harrington. "Blue does just the
opposite. That's why we think of it as calming."

How Color Affects Our Mood

There are several reasons why colors are able to influence how we feel. "We react on multiple levels of
association with colors -- there are social or culture levels as well as personal relationships with
particular colors," explains Leslie Harrington, executive director of The Color Association of The United
States, which forecasts color trends. "You also have an innate reaction to color. For example, when you
look at red, it does increase your heart rate. It is a stimulating color. This goes back to caveman days of
fire and danger and alarm."
You also have learned certain associations with color, such as red making your heart race since its
linked with fire trucks and ambulances (in other words, alarm) or yellow having positive association
simply because it was the color of your beloved grandmothers kitchen. "As you get older, you become
much more conscious of those learned reactions than the innate ones," adds Harrington.
Feel like changing your frame of mind for the better? Play around with these colors when picking
out your clothes, makeup and accessories:
Seeing Red
Red is the hot, crazy girl of colors, evoking powerful emotions such as fear, anger and passion. "Red
would be one of the most complicated colors," says Harrington. Unlike, say, yellow, which is sunny
whether its a pale or bright version of the shade, the mood red conveys changes dramatically when
you lighten it (sweet and innocent pink) or darken it (sophisticated burgundy).
Although research shows that the best way for a single gal to attract a guys attention is to wear red,
you may be garnering attention you dont necessarily want. "Theres a reason they call it the red light
district," notes Harrington. Adds Andrew Elliot, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of
Rochester: "We link red to passion because red is the color we exhibit on our skin when sexually
interested -- a red flush or blush."
Rather than having your outfit scream "sex kitten" (unless thats what youre going for), the best way
to rock this passion-producing color and get into a sexier frame of mind is by carrying a red clutch,
donning a bright red polish on your nails (try Essie Well Red) or lining your lips in the right red. "Red
lips can be your best accessory, especially if youre wearing all black," says Harrington. "You have to
be confident to do it and have the right shade of red for your skintone."
A Calming Case of the Blues
Need to chill out after a stressful day? Slip on something blue. "Psychologically, blue is the opposite of
red -- it lowers blood pressure," says Harrington. "Red picks you up and blue takes you down, but not

down to depression level." That may be because if you look to nature, such as the sky and the ocean,
blue conveys tranquility. Thats also what you project when wearing the shade. "I encourage women to
wear blue when they want to create a calming essence," says Mai. "Wear it on a first date -- something
turquoise or a light aqua sweater with a soft texture like cashmere. It makes a great a first
impression and creates relaxation."
Another beneficial time to make blue your go-to hue? If youre going for a job interview or meeting
your partners parents for the first time. "Blue is associated with trustworthiness, strength and
dependability -- hence, the blue power suit because it projects that image of dependability and
trustworthiness," says Harrington.
Its Easy Being Green
From grass to leaves to other verdant vegetation, the color green is closely linked to the environment,
which can put you in a relaxed or refreshed mood. "There is some tentative evidence emerging in the
literature showing that green is relaxing because it is associated with growth and nature," says Elliot.
Green also looks good on every skin type and has a wide range of shades that allow you to modify your
mood -- from serious and sophisticated to fresh and bright.
"Green ranges from old traditional English libraries in a dark hunter green where you can sit down,
concentrate and read to a spring-like yellow-based green, which symbolizes new birth or new growth
-- the beginning of something," explains Harrington.
Anything-But-Mellow Yellow
Yellow carries both positive and negative connotations -- from sunshine, which conveys a joyous,
happy mood to jaundice and sickliness, according to Harrington. In Mais experience, wearing the
bright, fun color helped her stand out and put people at ease. "Wearing yellow creates a very open
atmosphere with people," she says. "When I was a reporter on Extra, if I was going to meet a celebrity
who was a bit standoffish I found that wearing yellow would bring a smile to their demeanor right
away. Its an inviting color."
That said, going overkill on yellow can leave you looking like a walking banana so Harrington
recommends investing in yellow accessories instead to give you that same uplifting boost, such as a
bright yellow clutch, scarf or even a pale yellow blouse under a sweater or suit. But keep in mind that
not everyone can pull off this bright shade. Skin with yellow undertones have a hard time with the
color, says Harrington, and blue undertones can only wear certain shades of yellow so its hard to
find the shade that looks good on, compared to navy, which anyone can wear.
Orange You Glad You Wore It
This highly popular color marries the sunniness of yellow with reds depth. In fact, orange is the
perfect substitute if youre not comfortable seeing red. But the color is by no means ho-hum -- orange
evokes action. "Orange is much more of a casual, active colorits big in active wearwhereas red is
much more sophisticated," explains Harrington. The perky shade is your best bet when you want to rev
yourself up so you can hit the gym or channel creativity for a work project. "Orange is said to
stimulate enthusiasm and creativity," says Mai. "It symbolizes vitality and endurance."
Its also the color to choose when you want to stand out without taking a big risk. Thats because
orange is considered a little edgy without be too "out there." "If youre going to buy a pocketbook and
it comes in red, orange and yellow, yellow will be the biggest statement while almost everyone has a
red bag," says Harrington. "Orange is in the middle. It says, have a little more fun and be a little
different but not too different. Because of that, you see a lot more orange colors showing up in
cosmetics."
The rich color is associated with royalty and luxury, according to Mai. "Anytime you need to feel
confident and regal, such as for a job interview, wear purple," she says. If you have a younglooking face and want to appear more sophisticated, make purple your go-to color to help you
look more mature, suggests Mai.
Back in Black
Having a fat day? Slipping into something black makes you look five pounds slimmer -- instantly

improving your mood. "We all know what happens when you put on black jeans versus white jeans -its slimming," says Harrington. But the darkest shade of all can affect how you feel in two other
distinctly different ways: Wearing black can be a downer (think funerals) or make you feel trs chic
(think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys). Although in old movies, the villain always wore
black, over the years the color has become more associated with high class -- black limousines, patent
leather shoes and elegant black tie affairs, according to Harrington.
Black is clearly the go-to color when you want to look more regal and formal. "It can be very elegant"
says Mai. Every woman needs an LBD. It plays everything else down so you stand out. It lets you
shine.

Influence of basic colours to our feelings:

Red colour
Red is optimistic, vital colour of activity, heat, movement, struggle, of passionate life. It is the most
human expressive, extraverted colour associated with fullness of life, courage, sacrifice, love, strong
emotions and acts of passion. Red leaves nobody cold. You can love or hate, but it is hard to stay
indifferent at red. Red increases muscle tone, promotes the pulse, raises blood pressure, promotes
blood circulation, excretion of adrenaline and hepatic function. Deepens breathing, can cause
headaches, but it is not suitable for fast and emotionally unstable persons.
Orange colour
Orange is a bright, shiny, warm colour of fire and sun. It is associated with sunrise or sunset, delicious
fruits such as apricots, mandarins, oranges To Indians it symbolizes courage and sacrifice. No more so
aggressive and passionate as red, but as an emotional stimulant happy, nice colour, which helps to
overcome fatigue. Due to the foregoing points it constitues a useful additional aid in treatment of
depressions. Orange reflects warmth, generosity, it is light and playful. It also promotes appetite and
helps in the morning to stand up.
Orange colour strengthens the lungs, pancreas and spleen and stimulates the activity of the heart.

Digestion, increases appetite, it can either calm or excite.This colour can stabilizes emotions, some
individuals get depressed. All shades of orange have the same meaning and effect depending only on
the dominant component (yellow or red).
Yellow colour
Yellow is the colour of sun, light and optimism, which stimulates, activates and frees from fear. It
retains the alertness and promotes concentration, symbolizes the creativity and wisdom. Promotes
motor skills, her strong feature is communicative (reason why mail boxes are yellow). On the walls and
elsewhere in the house it has a positive effect on welfare.
Yellow has the greatest impact on the respiratory organs, helps in treatment of
psychonevroses,increases blood pressure, accelerates pulse and breathing rate, has positive effect on
nervous system. The most common shades of yellow are: cloudy yellow (calming, thinking), live yellow
(agility, boldness, relaxation), olive yellow (gloomy mood) and citron yellow (alertness, vivacity,
liveliness, perfection).
Green colour
They say the colour of health. With green colours they try to cure hysteria and nervous fatigue as it has
calming influence on nervous system and is effective for depression, migraines can be mitigated. Light
green expands capillares, reduces pressure, induces internal secretion juices. On the other hand the
colour of peace, calmness, rest, reflection and study. Its symbolism affects human emotions, soothes
and relaxes. It is a sign of balance.
It is best for soothing bathrooms and bedrooms, it may also take the form of vegetation. It has adverse
effects to red: lowers blood pressure, calms nervous system, migraines, establishes a personal balance,
eliminating fatigue and insomnia and expands capillaries.
Blue colour
Blue is a basic colour. Its opposite is yellow, a mixture of both is green, which combines features of
both: in nature it is widespread in the azure sky, which is reflected in the water. The symbolism of
blue: wisdom, intelligence, immortality, infinity, depth, nobility, spirituality, mysticism. Its
psychological associations: clear, fresh, light (colour atmospheres), transparent, airy, distant,
quiet Psychological effects of blue: slowing heart rate, reducing respiratory rhythm, sothing,
encouraging mental activity, introspection, concentration, focus inwards they say it is the colour of
peace and rest.
Violet colour
Violet colour is a mixture of blue and red, more of one or the other you add a more characteristic
colour shade you get and thus also an appropriate share of both blue peace, remoteness, spirituality
. And red colours of movement, passion, vitality, heat, energy... Because it combines features of such
extremely different primary colours (hot, cold ) it works somehow mysterious.
White colour
White is the colour of clarity and is a mixture of all three waves of natural colours: yellow, red and
blue. As a result, to white we respond positively. It symbolizes clarity, innocence and purity, as well as
a new beginning, rebirth. In conjunction with light blue shades it works very cold. It is also a symbol of
divinity, perfection, pride, kindness and the eternal.
White house is light, it looks spacious, but much white looks lean, sterile and almost like in a hospital,
it is recommended that white walls are adorned with paintings, posters or framed pictures. At the
selection of colours in your room we try to combine colours, which reflect best our character, as in this
way we shall create environment, in which we shall feel comfortably and homely.

Enhance your life with Colour

Colour Therapy is a totally holistic and non-invasive therapy for us all - adults, children, babies and
animals. All we need to do is to heighten our awareness of the energy of colour and it can transform
our lives.
Colour should be a part of our everyday life, not just something we experience for an hour or two with
a therapist. Colour is all around us everywhere. This wonderful planet does not contain all the
beautiful colours of the rainbow without reason. Nature and its colours are not simply here by chance,
everything in nature is here for a purpose. Colour is no exception.
~Love~

http://www.chakrasincolour.com/colour_therapy_uses.php Diana

Colour In The Home

http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/colour/colour_in_the
_home.php
There are many variations of the basic colours. The paler versions, which are sometimes
more appropriate for covering the walls within our homes, give us the same qualities as the
bold colour but in a gentler way.
When decorating an area - the complementary colours, and their variations, should be
remembered and combined with our main choice of colour by way of soft furnishings
perhaps, pictures etc.
It is also helpful to take in to account the aspect of a room. For example, should you require
a calming atmosphere in a north facing room, which may well be one of the colder rooms in
your house, remember to use some warm colours (i.e. variations of the warm colours of
yellow, orange and red) to avoid the room feeling colder.

Using Colours in the home

When using colour in the home environment, we all have our own personal choice.
Particular colour choice though can help towards providing a specific 'feeling' for a space.
Below we have put together some suggested uses of colour in the home, workplace and
other various environments, and the effects these colours can produce.

Violet

Indigo

Effects of Violet as a
colour

Calming for
body and mind.

Good for
meditation and
prayer.

Enhances
purpose and
dignity.

Heightens our
awareness and
helps us to give
of our very
best.

Purifying.

Effects

Suggested Areas of Use for the

colour Violet

Places of worship

Entry areas to clinics

and hospitals

Festival areas

Pale violet in bedrooms.

Suggested Areas of Use

Sedative

Helps to open
up our intuition

The colour of
divine
knowledge and
the higher
mind.

Not suitable for areas for

entertainment but for
more 'quiet' places

Bedrooms

Treatment rooms

Some people find indigo

is helpful for studying so
this colour could be used

as part of the decor of a

library or study.

Blue

Green

Effects

Calming,
relaxing and
healing

Not as sedating
as indigo. Also
the colour of
communication.

Effects

Yellow

Suggested Areas of Use

Any rooms except those

used for physical activity
or play.

Suggested Areas of Use

Balancing,
harmonising
and encourages
tolerance and
understanding.

Effects

Depending upon the

shade, can be used for
most areas

Use with other

colours/colour as well to
avoid the balance and
harmony becoming more
like total inactivity and
indecision.

Suggested Areas of Use

Stimulates
mental activity

Promotes
feeling of
confidence

Helpful for
study as it
helps us to stay
alert.

Activity rooms

Entrance halls

Not for bedrooms as

yellow can interfere with
sleep since it tends to
keep our minds
"switched on"

Not ideal for areas of

possible stress.

Orange

Red

Magenta

Effects

Suggested Areas of Use

Warming and
energizing

Any activity area and

creative areas

Can stimulate
creativity

Orange is the
colour of fun
and sociability.

Not ideal for bedrooms

or areas of possible
stress.

Effects

Suggested Areas of Use

Energizing,
exciting the
emotions

Stimulates
appetite.

Effects

Any activity area but red

needs careful choice of
tone and depth and the
space in which it is to be
used as it can make a
space look smaller and
can be claustrophobic or
oppressive. However,
used well, red and its
variations can make a
space feel warm and
cosy. Often used in
restaurants.

Suggested Areas of Use

Magenta is the
eighth colour in
the colour
spectrum and is
a combination
of red and
violet, thus it
combines our

Lecture spaces

Chapels halls etc

Not ideal for play rooms

or activity rooms

earthly self and

spiritual self,
thus balancing
spirit and
matter.

Turquoise

Effects

Pink

It is uplifting
and helps us to
gain a feeling
of
completeness
and fulfillment.

Suggested Areas of Use

Cool and
calming and
good for the
nervous system
and immune
system.

Effects

Any room except it is not

ideal for activity areas.

Suggested Areas of Use

This colour
soothes and
nurtures

It helps to
dissolve anger
and encourages
unconditional
love.

Ideal for a baby's or

child's bedroom.

Black

White

Effects

Suggested Areas of Use

Black used with

another colour
enhances the
energy of that
second colour

Black gives us
the space for
reflection and
inner
searching.

Effects

Not ideal as a single

colour, but when used
with care,can enhance
and complement other
colours in almost any
situation.

Suggested Areas of Use

White contains
all the colours.
It emphasizes
purity and
illuminates our
thoughts,
giving us
clarity.

Copyright Colour Therapy Healing 2013

Any room, but it can be

a little intimidating to
some. Needs to be
broken up with another
colour or with
plants/ornaments/pictur
es etc.