What is our favourite colour, or which colour makes us feel invigorated? Perhaps it is found in a song, such as “Colour My World” by Chicago or “True Colours” by Asia. Interestingly, there are countless songs featuring colours in their titles. Examples include “Purple Rain” by Prince and The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine”. Using colours in song titles and lyrics intensifies the emotions conveyed. More significantly, selecting a colour often impacts our mood and mental well-being.
Consider this sentence: “The fire engine and the police car raced over the grass to park next to the broken-down car.” Now, let’s enhance it with colour: “The red fire engine and the yellow and brown police car raced over the green grass to the royal blue broken-down car.” The latter is undeniably more vivid and engaging. This subtle enhancement can improve our mental health and well-being; no further explanation is required.
Colours also play a role in mental health, influencing our mood and behaviour through psychological and physiological changes. Pablo Picasso once remarked, “Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” Ancient cultures, such as the Egyptians and Chinese, practised colour therapy – known as chromotherapy. This form of treatment remains part of holistic and alternative medicine today. Chromotherapy interprets colours as follows:
- Red: Stimulates the body and mind, increasing circulation.
- Yellow: Stimulates the nerves and purifies the body.
- Orange: Heals the lungs and boosts energy levels.
- Blue: Soothes illnesses and alleviates pain.
- Indigo: Addresses skin problems and encourages introspection.
These interpretations, provided by modern chromotherapists, aim to guide holistic practices. While there is little evidence linking colour therapy to curing mental health symptoms, colours undeniably evoke emotional responses. These reactions can influence stress levels, moods, and overall mental well-being. For instance, a monotonous colour palette might trigger irritability or negative thoughts, whereas overly intense colours could exacerbate anxiety or depression.
In recent years, researchers have started examining the impact of colours on mental health. Although this field is still in its infancy, the potential for using colours in diverse environments to promote mental well-being is promising. Artists like Taylor Swift demonstrate how colours can express emotions through music, as seen in her song “Red” and references to blue and other shades in her work. Such explorations highlight how colour psychology could become an important area of study.
Nature is another powerful source of colour. The world around us offers vivid examples that can uplift our mood. Imagine waking up to Ray Charles singing “America the Beautiful” with its imagery of “amber waves of grain” and “purple mountain majesties”. Or picture relaxing to “Mellow Yellow” by Donovan or Bobby Vinton’s “Blue Velvet.” These titles evoke serenity and emotional release.
Rainbows, too, are a beautiful example of nature’s colour palette. A rainbow after a storm often brings hope and joy. Songs like “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland and various interpretations of “Rainbow” by artists such as Kacey Musgraves and Kesha remind us of the uplifting power of colour, often portraying brighter days ahead.
As we see, colours significantly influence mental health and well-being, helping individuals on their journey to recovery. Like the characters in The Wizard of Oz, who each had a goal – whether it was the Scarecrow seeking a brain, the Tin Man longing for a heart, the Lion yearning for courage, or Dorothy striving to return to Kansas – colours and determination combined to guide them along the Yellow Brick Road. Each brick symbolised a step toward achieving their aspirations.
Howard Diamond is a certified peer specialist from Long Island, New York.
