Did you know that colours can influence your mood, thoughts, feelings, and behaviour?
Colours have the power to calm, excite, energise, stimulate, improve performance, and even intimidate. Designers, marketers, and advertisers use colour to influence consumer behaviour and sell products and services.
Colour plays a huge role in our lives!
Many ancient cultures recognised the healing power of colour. They used colour therapy – also known as chromotherapy – to treat illness, heal and restore balance and harmony.
Red, orange, and yellow are considered warm colours and associated with energy, vibrancy, and optimism. Research has shown that red raises blood pressure, stimulates the senses, and increases the rate of breathing. Cool colours including blue, violet, and green are associated with calmness, harmony, and tranquillity. Shades of blue and green create a calming, soothing and relaxing effect.
Colours and emotions are connected. We don’t just see colours, we “FEEL” them. Everything in the universe is energy. And colour is a form of energy. Different colours have different frequencies and wavelengths. Each frequency triggers a different emotional response. But most of us aren’t aware of this subconscious process.
Have you ever noticed how some colours uplift your mood, while others tend to bring your energy levels down? For example, yellow can make you feel joyful and optimistic while a sombre colour such as grey can evoke feelings of sadness and melancholy.
Colour is a powerful way to express yourself and communicate your needs non-verbally.
Colours also influence how you are perceived by others. What’s the best colour to wear to a job interview? Or perhaps you plan to give a presentation. What do the colours you wear say about you? Pay attention to your colour choices and consider the message you want to project, such as professionalism, dependability and respect for the audience.
Most of us have one or two favourite colours. We also have “yuk” colours and avoid using or wearing them. Sometimes we develop a “craving” or desire for a particular colour, for example green. This might reflect our subconscious “craving” for balance and serenity. We also have colours we use to “protect” ourselves. For example, wearing black can help create emotional distance from others.
Colour is all around us, but we often take it for granted!
More and more people are interested in natural and complimentary therapies – such as colour therapy – to improve their lives and wellbeing. Colour therapy can be used to increase self-awareness and express hidden emotions. Sometimes it’s difficult to put our thoughts and feelings into words and using various colour therapy techniques can be a helpful way to explore uncomfortable experiences or traumatic memories.
How to use colour in your own life for motivation, inspiration, and wellbeing?
- Start noticing how certain colours affect your mood
- Use an online colour personality test to create your own colour profile
- Pay attention to your intuition when selecting colours
- Select your outfits intentionally and wear your favourite colours to boost your confidence
- Surround yourself in colours that are calming and relaxing
- Use pillows, rugs, wall art and other decorative items in your living space to reflect your personality
- Eat a rainbow inspired diet as colourful fruits and vegetables contain many essential nutrients
- If you feel stressed or anxious, visualise a soothing colour, such as green or blue, entering your body while you take in a deep breath
- Simply noticing the colours around you can bring you back in the present moment in this busy world
So, add a little colour to your life and start improving your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing!!
Eila Mikkonen
Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor, Coach & Mental Fitness Facilitator