Nature bathing is great. But it turns out that people in hospital beds facing windows recover faster when they face nature. And, in fact, it's not the nature at all! It can be fake and just as effective. In the end, basically, it's the green.
Color therapy or chromotherapy is incorporating specific colors into your environment to evoke desired emotional states. It blows my mind how well this works, and that's why you see peach colored walls in offices.
Light works similarly. Warm vs. cool, etc. You can use light exposure to regulate mood, particularly for conditions like seasonal affective disorder (SAD). All of this is culturally-dependent but it works way better than you'd think.
Here are some of the common color associations:
1. Red
Emotions: Energy, passion, excitement, strength, urgency, love, anger, aggression.
Therapeutic Use: Stimulates energy, increases heart rate, and can evoke strong emotions. Often used to combat fatigue or lethargy, but excessive use may lead to overstimulation or agitation.
2. Orange
Emotions: Enthusiasm, creativity, warmth, optimism, sociability, joy.
Therapeutic Use: Encourages social interaction, boosts creativity, and uplifts mood. Often used to combat depression or feelings of loneliness.
3. Yellow
Emotions: Happiness, clarity, intellect, optimism, caution, anxiety (in excess).
Therapeutic Use: Promotes mental clarity, stimulates the nervous system, and enhances focus. However, too much yellow can lead to feelings of anxiety or frustration.
4. Green
Emotions: Balance, harmony, growth, renewal, calmness, peace, envy (in some contexts).
Therapeutic Use: Known for its calming and balancing effects, green is often used to reduce stress and promote relaxation. It is also associated with nature and healing.
5. Blue
Emotions: Calmness, serenity, trust, stability, sadness, coldness.
Therapeutic Use: Reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and promotes relaxation. Often used in spaces meant for rest or introspection. Darker shades can evoke feelings of sadness or detachment.
6. Purple
Emotions: Spirituality, luxury, creativity, mystery, introspection, wisdom.
Therapeutic Use: Encourages deep thinking, meditation, and spiritual connection. Often used to inspire creativity and self-reflection.
7. Pink
Emotions: Love, compassion, nurturing, calmness, playfulness.
Therapeutic Use: Promotes feelings of warmth and comfort. Often used to reduce aggression and create a soothing environment.
8. White
Emotions: Purity, clarity, simplicity, peace, emptiness, sterility.
Therapeutic Use: Creates a sense of space and cleanliness. Often used to promote mental clarity and a fresh start.
9. Black
Emotions: Power, sophistication, mystery, fear, sadness, protection.
Therapeutic Use: Can evoke feelings of protection and strength but may also lead to feelings of heaviness or depression if overused.
10. Brown
Emotions: Stability, reliability, warmth, comfort, dullness.
Therapeutic Use: Grounding and stabilizing, often used to create a sense of security and connection to the earth.
11. Turquoise
Emotions: Calmness, clarity, communication, emotional balance.
Therapeutic Use: Combines the calming effects of blue with the rejuvenating qualities of green. Often used to promote emotional balance and clear communication.
12. Gold
Emotions: Success, wealth, luxury, wisdom, optimism.
Therapeutic Use: Inspires confidence, abundance, and positivity. Often used to elevate mood and encourage a sense of achievement.
13. Silver
Emotions: Modernity, sophistication, intuition, reflection, coldness.
Therapeutic Use: Encourages introspection and clarity of thought. Often used to promote a futuristic or innovative mindset.
14. Gray
Emotions: Neutrality, balance, sophistication, boredom, sadness.
Therapeutic Use: Creates a sense of calm and balance but can also evoke feelings of dullness or detachment if overused.