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January 23, 2014

13 Facts About Color Therapy

Thursday Thirteen

I like color in my life, and if I’m ever feeling down, something colorful always cheers me up. Some people swear by color therapy, so I thought I’d do a little research into the subject.

Thirteen Facts About Color Therapy

1. Color therapists believe that each of the seven colors of the rainbow relate to a chakra in the human body.

2. Light moves in waves and each wave varies in length. Because each color has a different wave length, we humans can discern the range of colors.

3. The color therapist looks at a person’s health and their mood and treats the corresponding chakra. i.e. where the ailment is located.

4. The treatment can consist of colored lights, which are beamed onto the afflicted part of the body.

5. Or sometimes colored silks are worn instead of using the colored lights.

6. In 1958, US scientist Robert Gerard conducted a study and concluded that red stimulates and makes us anxious, while blue promotes calm.

7. He also showed that colour could affect the appetite, blood pressure and have a bearing on aggression.

8. Ancient Egyptian scrolls tell of using color therapy to cure various ailments. Also ancient Chinese texts have mentioned color therapy.

9. During the 20th century color therapy came into its own. The Swiss psychologist Dr Max Lüscher developed the Lüscher-Colour-Diagnostic test. The recipient selects eight coloured bottles in order of preference. The results are said to reveal your worries and their solution.

10. Color treatment is safe because it’s non evasive and is able to be used on any age group.

11. After a session, the recipients are said to feel empowered and full of life.

12. The long winters in the Northern hemisphere often make people feel depressed and the use of lights is a proven cure.

13. Darkness results in the production of melatonin which is conducive to healing and a long life. If the melatonin production does not cease with the introduction of light then lethargy and depression can occur.

Source: International Association of Color

While a part of me remains skeptical, the use of color and light does make my mood lift. I like wearing my bright red shoes or my turquoise moccasins, and I like getting outside into the daylight at least once a day. Staying indoors makes me start to feel antsy.

Have you tried color therapy? Does color lift your mood?

22 Comments

  1. Jennifer Leeland

    I didn’t know color therapy was used in ancient Egypt and China!! Very cool. Great TT Shelley.

    • Shelley Munro

      I thought that was cool too. Those Egyptians and Chinese people were very clever.

  2. Colleen@LooseLeafNotes

    I use color therapy via clothes, wearing colors that suit the day. I would use it more in my home but it is a log cabin and there is not too much sheet rock to be painted. There is a spa nearby that uses color therapy (lights) in their saunas.

    • Shelley Munro

      That’s a great idea, Colleen. I think I do this too – at least all my clothes are in colors I like and enjoy wearing. There aren’t many somber colors in my wardrobe.

    • Shelley Munro

      We usually pick colors because we like them so instinctively we must choose ones that soothe us. At least that’s my theory.

  3. sandy

    love this post always fascinated by color and what it does for psyche !!

  4. Alice Audrey

    I thought melatonin was produced by light.

    • Shelley Munro

      No, I read it was the opposite. The pineal gland produces melatonin in darkness, when there is no light coming through the retina.

  5. Norma

    Color can certain change my mood. Right now the sky is blue and the ground is white. Looking forward to lush greens.

    • Shelley Munro

      A blue sky and green grass along with warm sunshine always brightens my mood too.

  6. Mary Kirkland

    I’ve never tried color therapy to lift my mood but chocolate therapy usually helps. lol

    • Shelley Munro

      LOL – chocolate always makes me feel better too. Good answer.

  7. Heather

    I like mary’s answer, LOL. I know studies have found certain colors more effective in marketing, and that they use it in restaurants (for example, orange is supposed to make people want to eat and leave faster). Many sports teams have been known to paint the visiting locker room pink as a form of intimidation. My T13

    • Shelley Munro

      I read that some prisons gave the inmates pink clothing because it calmed them down.

  8. Nancy Henderson

    The color green lifts my mood. I don’t know if it’s because I find it relaxing or because it was my grandmother’s favorite color. She had her house painted green, and her living room carpet an olive green. I also like brown. I find that very calming.

  9. Stephanie Sullivan

    That is so cool. I’ve never heard of color therapy before, but I can see how it would be helpful. My favorite color is burgundy. :) Happy Thursday, Shelley.

  10. Cookie

    This is a good informative list. I like the idea of colour therapy because you seem to get more noticeable results.

    My Thursday 13 List

  11. CountryDew

    I have never tried this but now I want to. I will have to see if I can find someone within driving distance who does this.