“ Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.”

- Wassily Kandinsky (Artist)

Did you know that colours can have a profound impact on your mental health and overall well-being? The colours of the rainbow are not just pretty hues, but they are also powerful tools for healing and self-discovery.

Artist have often commented on colour evoking particular moods and emotions in their art work. “Colours… follow the changes of the emotions," Pablo Picasso. But have you ever thought about how colour affects you?

Think about colours you have used in your home. Why did you choose them? How do you feel when

you walk into a particular room? My last house was painted entirely in a magnolia colour. It was great at first. It looked fresh and wiped away all trace of the previous owner. After a while though, I noticed that I was finding the rooms a bit drab and they would bring down my mood.  When we moved home a few years ago, I decided that there needed to be lots of colour…everywhere! Although I chose a neutral navy blue for much of the downstairs room, I added interest with jewel coloured scatter cushions and throws. It really does make a difference to my mood when I see the bright colours sparkling in the room.

Now, many of us will steer clear of using black yarn in our crochet work as it is notoriously hard to see where your stitches are…especially in dim light. But maybe that’s not such a bad thing? Choosing brighter colours for our crochet projects could really lift our mood. I was using a variagated yarn this week to make a pair of fingerless gloves and I noticed that when the red yarn was ‘in play’ I was crocheting faster and not paying much attention to the TV show I was ‘watching’. As the colour changed to pink, I slowed down a bit and felt calmer and by the time the dark green came along I was practically stopping every couple of stitches and looking up at the telly. Coincidence? Possibly. But it did make me stop and think about how we use colour in our crochet work and the impact it colour have on our mood, as we stare at that colour for long periods of time.

Many ancient cultures, including the Chinese and Egyptians, used colour to heal people. In today’s society, light therapy or chromotherapy is used as a holistic treatment for many different ailments.

Red - to stimulate the body and mind; increase circulation

Orange - to heal the lungs; increase energy levels

Yellow - to purify the body; stimulate the nervous system

Green - to relieve stress and anxiety

Blue - to treat pain; soothe illness

Indigo - to ease skin issues

We often associate colours with different meanings and this can often affect how we view the colour and decide whether or not we want it in our homes, cars or clothing…or yarn choices.

• Red: Passion, excitement, love

• Pink: Soft, reserved, earthy

• Purple: Mysterious, noble, glamorous

• Blue: Wisdom, hope, reason, peace

• Green: Nature, growth, freshness

• Yellow: Hope, joy, danger

• Orange: Warmth, kindness, joy

• White: Truth, indifference

• Black: Noble, mysterious, cold

So next time you want to evoke a particular mood or emotion, or you have a ailment that getting you down, why not use colour as your therapy. Choose a colour yarn that will help you to lift your mood and maybe get you back on the road to recovery.

Happy hooking

Love 

Karen x

PS Calming Colour Relaxation Meditation

My guided meditation recording uses the colours of the rainbow to help you connect with your inner self, promote relaxation, and restore balance to your mind and body.

This guided meditation recording is designed to help you experience the benefits of colour therapy in a relaxing and accessible way. By focusing on the colours of the rainbow, you will be able to connect with your emotions, release stress, and promote a sense of inner peace and harmony.

So, if you're looking for a way to support your mental health and connect with your inner self, my guided meditation using the colours of the rainbow is the perfect choice for you. Click the button below to learn more and start your journey to a more balanced and peaceful life.