Back in the midwest I suffered from seasonal depression. Perhaps it was the shortage of vitamin D aka sunshine or that when it was gray out, I allowed myself to synch up to the dreary world around me. It probably didn’t help that I was surrounded by pavement and urban life devoid of nature’s soothing array of colors and beauty.
When I moved to northern California I had the opportunity to spend a lot more time in nature, but I had chosen to live in the outer sunset of San Francisco in the well known surfers' neighborhood of Ocean Beach. To my chagrin, Ocean Beach San Francisco was rather similar to Detroit in terms of color palette. Lots of gray and lots of pavement. With the marine layer that blankets much of the Bay Area for most of the year, even the ocean and sand were varying shades of gray. The sole respite being Golden Gate Park situated on the north end of the neighborhood.
For years my clothes, home and surroundings were distinctly neutral. At the time I was resonating with natural earth tones i.e. gray green, gray brown and toned down fall colors. In retrospect, I can see a distinct correlation between my mood, emotions and mindset and my outer world. Specifically, I’ve noticed since my disposition has become more sunny and colorful so have my attire and surroundings.
After learning about our energetic bodies, chakras and studying Vibrational Medicine I’ve come to appreciate the important role of color therapy and how color and color combinations can influence our physical and emotional health. I bring up color combinations because it’s important to distinguish between something being colorful versus chaotic. Just because a loud brash billboard has more intense colors in it, doesn’t mean it is going to make someone feel more cheerful than a soothing forested landscape on an autumn afternoon.
Color is for the most part quite subjective and primarily has to do with our subconscious associations as well as it’s surrounding context.
Nevertheless, there are numerous studies by scientists on how colors and their combinations elicit varying emotional reactions in individuals. Ad and branding specialists are experts in color. In a study called the Impact of Color in Marketing, researchers found that up to 90% of snap judgements made about products can be based on color alone! (See http://www.helpscout.net/blog/psychology-of-color/ for more)
Since our subconscious minds are the most powerful type of supercomputer that speaks the language of symbols, depending on what you associate a color with, you can bring the feelings and vibrations of that association and thus influence your mind, emotions and health.
In fact, our energetic anatomy is reflected in color, specifically each chakra and parts of our aura are defined by distinct colors and frequencies. So we are subtly influencing our energy when we surround ourselves with certain colors and combinations whether it be in terms of our clothing, furniture, home, neighborhood or regional climate.
For example, when I feel I could use more playful energy in my life (and play is associated with the sacral chakra and the color orange,) I’ll wear some orange, write in orange or wear an orange-ish crystal of some kind. Of course I could take the day off and just play or dance, but sometimes that just isn’t practical! But I can surround myself in orange and thereby subconsciously stimulate my playful energy.
Color therapy is a form of vibrational medicine known as Chromotherapy. By definition color is a form of visible light, of electromagnetic energy that is reflected by an object and perceived by the eye.
Below is a color chart and the associated chakra. Again, by bringing more of a particular color or combination into your world you are able to subtly influence these energies in your energetic anatomy thereby affecting your mood.
*White is technically not generally defined as a color since it does not have a specific wavelength. In fact white is the sum of all possible colors as evidenced by white light passing through a prism and being separated into distinct wavelengths i.e. colors.
*Black too is not considered a spectral color as it does not have a specific wavelength. It is the absence of light i.e. color. This explains why black objects heat up because they absorb other wavelengths and colors.
In my Coaching Sessions, I might suggest a tailored recommendation like adding a little color to your life if you are open to it. Depending on what your goals and aims are, sometimes seemingly simple things can go a long way in terms of keeping you in alignment. Find out more about my Coaching Services here.
To learn more about the influence of colors on your life, specifically branding and marketing- check out this blog post here.
Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!
~Meniyka
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