HOW TO USE COLOUR TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE: AN INTRODUCTION TO CHROMOTHERAPY
“Colour is a power which directly influences the soul”
I have been fascinated by the alchemy of colour since I was a kid. During a particularly frustrating colouring session at primary school I remember wondering why everyone used the red crayon to draw arms and legs. I looked at my arm and thought ‘it’s not red, why are they using red?’. I began mixing brown and orange and a bit of yellow to try and replicate my skin colour. The other kids laughed at me. I was quite a weird child…
“Sometimes I visit the Valspar section in B&Q to look through the hundreds of colour chips just because it makes me happy.”
I fancied myself as a colour consultant for a while. Putting together paint palettes for interior decorating schemes, something that a lot of people find difficult, if not impossible, given the thousands of shades from a plethora of paint brands, is to me an absolute joy. Sometimes I visit the Valspar section in B&Q to look through the hundreds of colour chips just because it makes me happy. Weird child, even weirder adult.
It is as an artist, however, that I have found my calling and mixing colours has taken on a new meaning. In my work I consciously select a palette based on the feeling I want to convey to the viewer. Colour has a big impact on our mood and overall wellbeing (most prominently in our homes and the clothes we wear) and this is where the fascinating field of chromotherapy comes into play.
Chromotherapy, also known as colour therapy, explores the psychological and physiological effects of colour on human beings. Like most holistic practices it dates back to ancient civilisations from Egypt, China, and India and involves using specific colours to promote healing and balance within the body and mind. Colour is essentially visible energy and chromotherapy operates on the belief that each hue possesses unique vibrations that can restore harmony to our energy systems. Most chromotherapy practices today involve using coloured light on the body to do this but going forward I will be using it as a term for how colour can be used as an aid to meditation to heal you from the inside out, and also to amplify your manifesting practice.
Cracking the Colour Code
Colours possess the remarkable ability to evoke specific emotional responses within us. Have you ever felt instantly uplifted by a room painted in sunny yellow or found comfort among natural, earthy tones? These experiences are not mere coincidences but rather the result of the unique psychological associations we have with different colours. But beware - each colour has a negative side too!
For example, warm colours like red, orange, and yellow tend to stimulate and energise; they can evoke feelings of passion, enthusiasm, and warmth but they can also give rise to rage, frenzy or cowardice. On the other hand, cool colours such as blue, green, and purple have a calming and soothing effect. They promote relaxation, tranquility, and spirituality but on the flip side they can represent depression, jealousy and arrogance. Neutral colours like white, grey, and beige provide a sense of balance and simplicity but can be seen as dull, boring and bland.
Colour as a Tool
Just as sounds and smells can trigger a memory or association colour can do the same. Focussing on a particular colour during meditative contemplation can help us to connect to our emotions more easily therefore allowing us to work through any mental blocks. This can be especially powerful for chakra balancing. Each chakra, or energy centre, in the body is associated with a colour so visually absorbing the corresponding one whilst breathing into the area can improve the effectiveness of the meditation.
Colour is a very underrated tool in manifesting practices but I intend to change that! Using colour to aid visualisation can be a potent A lot of the techniques that experts espouse can be given a massive boost when you add colour into the mix. I’ll be exploring these in more detail in future posts but if you want a little taster, check out this piece I wrote about using colour to manifest abundance.
Harness the Power of Colour Every Day
Aside from adding colour to your meditation and manifesting practices, however, there are lots of other ways that you can begin to use colour to enhance your wellbeing on a daily basis. Here are a few suggestions:
Dopamine Decor
The colours with which we choose to decorate our homes play a vital role in our wellness so consider the colours in your living and working spaces carefully. Instead of following trends, choose hues that align with the atmosphere you wish to create. For instance, if you seek a calming environment for relaxation, opt for cool, muted tones in your living room and steer clear of vibrant stimulating colours in the bedroom. Blue is a great choice for a home office as it can encourage focus and mental clarity. Experiment with different colours and observe how they make you feel. If you can’t fully redecorate then try adding in artwork in your chosen palette. Check out my gallery to see if anything resonates.
A Wardrobe for Wellbeing
The clothes we wear can also influence your mood. Dressing in colours that reflect the emotions you want to experience can have a profound impact on your state of mind. If you need a confidence boost, try wearing bold red or powerful black. For a sense of tranquility, opt for soft pastels and avoid too much pattern. It is often thought that the colours you choose to wear represent your personalities which I suppose is true to an extent. I’m not terribly interested in fashion so have adopted a bit of a Steve Jobs approach to clothes - I have sixteen grey tops, multiple white ones and even more black ones. Neutrals are my best friend! It keeps things simple and uncomplicated…don’t say it!!!
Natural Nourishment
Spending time in nature is an excellent way to engage with a diverse range of colours. Like plants, your skin photosynthesises and absorbs light so take walks in lush green forests, soak up the vibrant rainbow of flowers in your garden or immerse yourself in breathtaking sunsets. One thing I always remember from landscape painting is that black doesn’t exist in nature so if you need a quick mood boost, head outside! Nature's colour palette has a therapeutic effect on your wellbeing and can instantly lift your spirits.
Colour is a powerful force that can significantly impact your mood, emotions, and overall wellbeing. By understanding the psychological and physiological effects of different colours, you can harness their power to create spaces and experiences that promote harmony, balance, and positivity in our lives. Whether through mindful colour choices in your surroundings or exploring the ancient practice of chromotherapy, embracing the world of colour opens up endless possibilities for enhancing our wellbeing and leading a more vibrant life.
Whether you’re a queen of colour or a master of monochrome, I hope you’ll come with me on this exciting chromatic journey and learn to harness the magical power of the rainbow.
Kx