Humans are innately attuned to the emotional impact and symbolic significance of colors. One emerging branch of holistic medicine, chromatherapy, uses the mind’s natural response to color as a tool to relieve symptoms of chronic pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia and many other conditions. As an artist and natural tetrachromat, I have used color as a meditative tool and gentle medicine for years.
The use of color in medicine is seen in almost every branch of traditional healing; fascinatingly, people tend to respond differently to certain colors depending on their native culture. However, some colors have an amazingly cross-cultural influence– for example, all humans naturally associate pale blue with clear weather, and therefore feel calm in the presence of this soothing tone.
Consider using the following color therapy chart to improve your own physical and mental health.
Red We naturally associate red with intense emotions, from fear to sexual passion. From stop signs to the classic “sexy red dress”, red dominates our culture as a symbol of strong feelings. Try using red to enhance your sex life or give yourself more physical energy; red can also help increase blood pressure in people with chronic hypotension. Avoid red if you are feeling angry or anxious.
Pink
Red’s subdued sister, pink, is commonly used as a paint color in hospitals, mental health institutions and prisons. Because Western culture associates pink with infancy, femininity and fertility, most people feel calm– and possibly weak– in the presence of the hue. Surprisingly, pink seems to have the opposite effect of red on a person’s emotional infrastructure.
Orange
In color therapy, orange is traditionally used to stimulate appetite, mental activity and cheerful emotions. Orange hues can increase energy levels and improve a person’s outlook while honing mental clarity. Consider using orange in color therapy if you feel bored or mildly depressed. Orange is a useful appetite stimulant and may help those who suffer from anorexia or other eating disorders.
Yellow
The sun is the ultimate source of life and warmth on our vibrant planet, and we associate yellow with the sun’s life-giving rays. In color therapy, yellow can be used to help a person feel spiritually grounded while maintaining a positive outlook. It may help you feel more optimistic and lighthearted– an ideal option for those who tend to take life a little too seriosuly.
Green
Green is the color of life itself; we depend upon it to feel grounded and calm. People who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or the “winter blues” may consider surrounding themselves with green to restore a sense of vividness and acceptance. Consider using green to restore balance if you find yourself riding an emotional pendulum.
Blue
Uniquely calming and soothing, blue hues help to restore a sense of inner peace and emotional satisfaction. Baby blue and sky-blue tones are used in color therapy to ease symptoms of pain, anxiety and depression. Darker blues and violet-blues have an additional, mild sedative effect; consider trying these if you suffer from insomnia.
Purple
Deep violet tones are rarely seen in nature, so we subconsiously associate them with the creative and supernatural. Use purple and violet in color therapy to stimulate your sense of intuition and imagination. Violet can help a person maintain a sense of “mind over matter” when dealing with chronic pain. I recommend it for neurological pain caused by conditions like multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia.
