The Healing Power of Color

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In 2011, the "happiest 5K on the planet" was founded. Since then, The Color Run has grown to become the single largest event series in the world, inspiring hundreds of knock-off events and encouraging even non-runners and entire families to participate.

While the concept really took off worldwide less than ten years ago, the idea was nothing new. The ancient Indian celebration of Holi, the "festival of colors," has been taking place for hundreds of years and it's basically a color run on steroids. Signaling the arrival of spring, Holi involves singing, dancing and smearing anyone and everyone with brilliant color. It's quite possibly the most joyful occasion on Earth.

Clowning around after my first color run in 2016

So it's no wonder the idea has spread in recent years. Ingrid Fetell Lee dedicated an entire chapter in her book Joyful to the idea that vibrant color can create joy. Ancient civilizations around the world have used color to heal and some therapists still use chromotherapy in their practices today. Artists like Lisa Frank and Jessi Raulet create joyful works of art with their unique use of brilliant colors. Coloring books for adults are taking over entire sections in bookstores, and vibrant patterns are trending in the fashion world. 

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A post shared by Jessi / EttaVee (@ettavee) on Jan 20, 2019 at 2:14pm PST

I'm currently taking an online course in color therapy, and it's made me more aware of how color impacts everything from my mood to my buying decisions. There are people who spend their entire careers figuring out what colors will entice people to buy their products, and there's a whole science behind the psychology of color. 

One study asked participants to drink hot chocolate from four different colored mugs - white, cream, red and orange. They found that the hot chocolate in the cream and orange mugs tasted better. Think about all the fast food restaurants that feature red in their decor. It's not a coincidence; red is the most appetite-stimulating color. So not only does color affect your mood, but it can also impact your physical health and even your weight. If color isn't something you've put much thought into, maybe it's time to start!

My experiments with color began with the overhead lights in my living room. I replaced the atrocious fluorescent LED bulbs with LIFX bulbs, which can be controlled through the LIFX app on my phone. There are literally hundreds of possibilities with these bulbs! I can manually adjust the color or choose from preset themes like energizing or tranquil. I can also connect the bulbs to my nest, which will automatically adjust the color temperature according to the time of day. If you're looking for a simple way to make your home more inviting, warm or energizing without repainting every room, here's your solution.

My next goal as I continue my adventures with color is to become more intentional in choosing what I wear and the environments I spend time in. I'll keep you updated on my findings here on the blog and via Instagram!