Using COLOR to Cope & Change

Throughout history, humanity has used color in a variety of ways to heal and help, depending on their beliefs and traditions. Remembering that our minds are our bodies do not operate separately from each other, colors affect our emotional state differently. Think about a “red-light district,” red evokes passion and energy or when someone is sad, they may refer to having the blues. Our language reflects how colors impact us. Research reflects that light and color influence the functioning of the brain, endocrine, and nervous systems. These physical systems intimately inform our psychological reality.

THE VERY BASICS

Indications of Color

Red: Representing the element of fire and the color of our blood, red is associated with courage, strength, majesty, nobility, and sometimes danger. Red arouses passion and can stimulate sexuality and anger.

Orange: Psychologically, orange can be used to treat anxiety, fear, depression, and discontent. Orange tends to have an uplifting effect, leaving people joyful and optimistic when exposed to it.

Yellow: In the body, yellow can stimulate digestion and strengthen the nerves. Psychologically, yellow wakes up our intellect and mental function. With its brightening effect, yellow promotes learning and concentration.

Green: Commonly reflected in nature, green has a calming, balancing effect. Physically, green can have an anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect. While psychologically, it promotes tranquility and contentment.

Turquoise: Holding a special place in aligning communication behind mind, body, and spirit, turquoise can assist to bring buried psychological issues to conscious awareness. General psychological effects of exposure to turquoise are feelings of relief, increased calm, and pleasure. Physically, it can support access to deeper breath and clear-headedness.

Blue: Brings a calming and cooling effect to both the psyche and body. Psychologically, blue promotes feelings of peace and inner silence, relieving hyperactivity and anxiety.

Violet: Associated with royalty and harmony, violet also can evoke strength, consciousness, and spiritual awareness.

THE EXPERIMENT

Invite yourself to begin to open to different colors around you.

Begin to notice what colors you are drawn to and allow this to be a weekly practice.

Just as everything changes, the colors and tones of colors you are drawn to will shift as you shift. If you want to buy something, check-in, are there certain colors that are drawing me to this item? This is why I love getting a manicure, you get exposed to a multitude of colors and I get another opportunity to see what color is drawing me in. Or going to the paint store, and being able to see all the combinations, shades, and tones of different colors. We also don’t have to see the color outside ourselves, we can close our eyes and just invite a color in.

Once you have identified a color that you are drawn to, begin working with that color by intentionally exposing yourself throughout your day or week. You can write with that color pen, intentionally wear that color (the thrift store is great for this,) you can meditate with this color by visualizing it, or physically surround yourself with some items of this color while working, meditating, on your nightstand, or where you get ready for the day.

Allow yourself to begin exploring your relationship with certain colors.

What do I notice in my body when I hold this color in my mind’s eye or wear this color?

Let’s start now!

What do you notice sitting with this blue?

And what about this orange?

Ok, one more! How about this violet?

I’d love to hear how it goes!