Colors can affect our feelings, emotions, and moods. Artists, health care professionals, and home interior specialists have long used lighting and color as influences.
The eye is the organ of our the sense of sight, and the eye’s nerve receptors take in information when it is stimulated and send it up to the brain. So, for instance, when a color changes in the room, the receptors are stimulated, send the message to the brain, the brain interprets that information, and tells you about what you are seeing. We tend to associate colors with feelings based on our experiences in nature, so it makes sense that when we look at colors the information we take in is not just the color, but the brain automatically interprets it into feeling.
Chromotherapy (color therapy) dates back to ancient Chinese and Egyptian cultures. It is the practice of utilizing colors to influence the physical body and emotional state. Modern studies have proven that the body responds to colored lighting as well. Think of how emotion is manipulated with colored lighting at concerts, or how mesmerizing holiday lights are (as well as what your personal choice of holiday light color does to create a mood.) With a little bit of understanding of the different effects colors have, you can reap the benefits of chromotherapy at home.
We use these bulbs in accent lighting - table lamps, torchieres, etc so that they can be turned on and off at will for the length of time desired. They're also great for using in porch lighting to show support for causes, team spirit, holidays, sporting events, and more.
Red light is linked to energy and is ideal for people who find themselves over-tired. Red light is also used to combat muscle and joint stiffness. It's a great choice for home exercise areas. Commonly used to increase desire, fertility, and melatonin secretion it is used in bedroom lighting by couples wishing to become closer.
Purple light reduces mental and emotional stress. It can help you fall asleep and soothes the nervous system and eyes. Purple light decreases sexual desires. This color also increases the depth of meditation and is acquainted with feelings of inspiration.
Blue light lowers high blood pressure, calms nerves, and can help in the treatment of migraines. Blue light affects the body's circadian rhythm and can be used to avoid jet lag as well as making it more easy to get up in the morning. Blue promotes the feeling of tranquility, stability, and safety. A blue light is an excellent choice for meditation and daytime napping.
Green light stimulates the creation of growth hormone and also strengthens muscle, bone and tissue. It is used in hospitals to boost the immune system and promote healing. Green light is used to reduce chronic pain such as is caused by fibromyalgia and reduces inflammation. Green can aid homesickness, making it a good choice for college dorm rooms. Green light has been found to improve reading retention and ability, making it productive for study and home offices.
Yellow light can boost the spirit, aid depression, and encourage digestion. yellow promotes relaxation and comfort and can be of use for a short while before bed. It is used to stimulate the higher mind and so can be of use for those wishing to promote dreaming. Yellow is unique on the color spectrum in that it can be overdone. Studies have shown that babies cry more in rooms painted yellow or lit with yellow light.
Orange light stimulates creative thought, promotes entusiasm, and friendships. It helps new ideas flow and is a good choice for creative writing, crafting, cooking, and creative playtime. Infants respond well to orange light, as do mothers as orange lighting also stimulates the production of breast milk.
Pink light creates both a soft and soothing environment while promoting self-confidence. It has been used in correctional facilities to decrease aggression among inmates. it's a useful tool for parents dealing with teenage angst, and aids in cooling intense feelings for people of all ages. Pink light is traditionally used through the month of October in the porch lighting of homes affected by or supporting the efforts of breast and ovarian cancer research.