LETTERS: Colour is something we see through our eyes, it links our souls to the outside world.
Some find bright colours distracting. Others feel blue and grey comfort them. Some believe plain yellow is too sharp and makes them feel tense while others feel happy when they look at it.
Colours and emotions are closely related. They can make us feel happy, sad, hungry and relaxed, or even influence our thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Chromotherapy, or colour therapy, is the science of using colours to adjust body vibrations to frequencies that are said to result in health and harmony.
It can be used to relieve anxiety and boost confidence, practised in ancient Egypt, Greece, China and India. It's regaining popularity as a complementary or alternative medicine therapy.
According to the doctrine of chromotherapy, the human body is composed of colours. All organs and limbs have their own distinct colour.
In each organ, there is an energy level at which the organ functions best. Any departure from that vibratory rate results in pathology, whereas restoring the appropriate energy levels can be therapeutic.
Chromotherapy can improve mood and sleep, reduce depression and anxiety, boost energy and has anti-ageing properties.
The following colour cases were proven by scientific studies:
1. People eat more food off red plates and less off blue ones. That's why red/orange/yellow colours were often used by most fast-food chains in their branding.
2. Blue has a calming effect on psychiatric patients.
3. Orange has an impulsive effect, which is why e-commerce companies use orange for call-to-action buttons like "Add to Cart", "Buy Now", etc.
4. A majority of the world's famous brands use one or two colours to maximise the brand's recognition.
Allison S. Gremillion explained: "Red, orange and yellow can be regarded as warm colours and these can often evoke feelings of happiness, optimism and energy. These colours also have attention-grabbing effects like our stop signs and hazard warnings.
"Green, blue and purple are cool colours, usually associated with calming and soothing effects, so they are usually used to display health, beauty or security.
"Dark and muted colours are regarded as sad colours. In Western cultures, black is often considered the colour of mourning, whereas in some East Asian countries, it's white."
If you have difficulty focusing or staying alert, take a walk outside and interact with natural green plants to ease stress.
"To boost your mood, vibrant energising hues should be incorporated in kitchens and dining rooms, and they are suitable for spaces that are vibrant and used for socialisation," said Sue Kim, colour marketing manager for paint company Valspar.
Colours have an effect and we should take advantage of it. Surround yourself with different colours instead of sitting in a white room. Change the colour of cushion covers, enjoy your day by arranging flowers, polishing your nails or colouring books.
"Colours are completely personal and you don't need to follow the colours your friends or fashion models use," said colour psychologist Karen Haller.
Her advice is not to fear colour and what people think of your colour choices. She uses colours to create a well-balanced environment that creates positive behaviour.
You can find out your emotional response to each colour by taking part in a colour quiz based on research by Dr Max Luscher. Your choice of colour can be varied on different days.
There is power in colour. There is nothing wrong with using colour to boost your mood or improve sleep. It is good to live a colourful life and don't be shy to be colourful.
DR THEINGI MAUNG MAUNG
Associate professor, Community Medicine Unit
AIMST University
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times