Quick, what’s common between the phrases ‘seeing red’, ‘green with envy’ and ‘feeling blue’? They all use colours to describe emotions. So is that just language or do colours really impact our moods and emotions? “Colours affect us all the time. They have different vibrations that work on us physically and spiritually. Just think how you feel more cheerful when it is a blue sky as compared to when it is a grey sky,” says Jill Banwell, who has been involved professionally with the healing arts for over 14 years and specialises in various fields such as reiki, yoga, crystal and colour therapy. Colour therapy is an alternative healing method that works on the seven main energy centres or chakras in the body to create balance for the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of a person.
Truth is, our moods, appetites, how well our brain works, etc., are all affected by the colours around us. Besides its impact on our energy centres, colours also trigger certain emotional responses based on what the colour is associated with or our experience with that colour. So whether it’s the colour of the walls, the clothes you wear, or more importantly, the colours worn by people around you (you see them more than you see yourself), different hues affect us. Here’s how:
Orange: The colour of the rising sun, orange is a happy, joyful colour that evokes excitement and enthusiasm. Moreover, it is an energetic colour and can boost your self-esteem. Wear an orange scarf or a tie on a particularly dull day and you are bound to feel more cheerful.
While it may not be a good idea to paint your bedroom or living room orange, it is a great colour for a gymnasium or exercise room since it is supposed to increase energy levels.
Yellow: Yellow, the colour of sunshine is associated with hope and optimism. If you wear a lot of yellow, chances are you see the glass as half full more often than not. It is also a mentally stimulating colour. In colour therapy it is believed to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.
While it is a joyful colour, too much of it can be over powering to the eyes making people temperamental. One research showed that babies cried more in yellow rooms. So don’t go around painting your nursery yellow, however it is a good choice for the kitchen or dining room. Offices painted in light shades of yellow can help improve concentration.
Jill advises staying away from dirty yellow or the colours of autumn as that is nature’s way of signifying death.
Green: Green, the colour of nature, is considered to be the most restful colour for the eyes. It is soothing and has a calming effect on people. Wear a green tie/shirt or saree/suit to a particularly temperamental meeting, you will calm others down.
Paint your family room or living room a shade of green. It will help everyone unwind. It’s also a good colour for offices and hospital waiting rooms as it helps relieve stress. “Green is a balancing colour. Some shades such as spring green are good for detoxing,” says Jill.
Blue: Contrary to the term ‘feeling blue’ meaning feeling sad, the colour blue is probably the most calming of all colours and is supposed to bring down blood pressure, slow respiration and reduce heart rate. “I wear a lot of blue because I want to have a calming effect on people,” says Jill. Blue is also supposed to inspire creative thinking making it the ideal colour for copy writers, playwrights, etc. According to Feng Shui, blue is considered an energy colour and promotes productivity, harmony and good chi.
Since it is considered calming and relaxing, painting your bedroom blue is recommended. At the same time, blue is also supposed to enhance clear thinking, diligence and organisation, making it an ideal colour for offices.
Red: Red is considered the strongest and the most emotionally intense colour. While on the one hand, it is associated with love and desire, on the other, it is supposed to promote feelings of power and aggression.
It is shown to pump adrenaline, raise blood pressure and increase heart rate. Decorators recommend painting a wall — just a wall, not the entire room — in the living or dining room red to stir up excitement. The colour is best avoided in offices.
Black: While black is the colour of the boardroom, Jill advices against it. “Wearing too much black can affect you as it absorbs energy,” says Jill. In the cut-throat environment of the boardroom there is too much negative energy and it’s best to avoid black. Jill recommends a dark blue or a silvery grey, both of which do not absorb energy.
White: The colour white is reflective. According to Jill, if you wear a lot of white you are protected as the negative energy around you is reflected back instead of being absorbed.
