You feel unstoppable in your favorite red shirt. You wear that little black dress to parties so you can fit in. Many of us are already practicing the principles of Color Therapy without even knowing it.

Scientists acknowledge that colors bring about emotional reactions in individuals, but that reaction and attitudes towards colors differ from person to person. Therapists trained in Color Therapy, or Chromotherapy, believe an attraction to certain colors may signal areas where a person is deficient or imbalanced. One famous example, in the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s ruby red slippers (the color red represents courage and power) gave her something she was lacking — the strength to endure her journey home.

You can influence your mood by incorporating colors that help you feel the desired emotions. Below is a Color Key with all the essentials to help you add the right color to your life. As you look at each color, you may want to notice your own reaction and compare those feelings to the color’s general meaning.

Simple Ways You can use Color Therapy. While it is wise to keep these philosophies in mind when decorating, you don’t have to repaint the walls to bring in a color’s influence. You can infuse a bit of color into your rooms with pillows, bedding, towels, candles and other accessories. Your wardrobe is also a relatively easy place to integrate a color you’re lacking. (What a great excuse to buy that gorgeous new handbag you’ve been wanting!)

Color Key

Red
Emotions – Courageous, Powerful, Passionate, Impulsive, Aggressive

Uses – Red is believed to escalate the body’s metabolism and aid with overcoming depression.
Overdose – Too much red can increase anxiety and stress.

Blue

Emotions – Peace, Harmony, Serenity, Honesty, Loyalty, Sincerity

Uses – Blue soothes the mind and brings you to a place of calm and serenity.
Overdose – Too much blue can be depressing and sorrowful.

White

Emotions – Innocence, Renewal, Rejuvenation, Restoration, Purity

Uses – Helps you feel refreshed and renewed. It is said that White purifies the mind on the highest level. We like it because it feels like life is handing us a clean slate to start anew.

Green

Emotions – Refreshing, Balance, Encouraging, Nurturing, Wealthy, Jealous

Uses – Green is a healing color that represents the spring season and new growth. Good for tired nerves and balances emotions. Refreshes the spirit and encourages us to feel compassion.

Overdose – Too much green can create negative energy as in “Green with Envy.”

Yellow

Emotions – Warm, Cheerful, Innovative, Happy, Intelligence

Uses – Stimulates the mind and can help clear a foggy head and inspire new ideas.

Overdose – Too much yellow is said to cause exhaustion from too much mental activity.

Purple

Emotions – Serenity, Uniqueness, Stability, Tranquility, Calmness, Individuality, Spiritual

Uses – Purple is said to allow a clearer path to the spiritual self. Good for mental and nervous problems.

Overdose – Too much purple is said to bring negative thoughts.

Orange

Emotions – Energy, Fun, Creativity, Optimism, Imagination, Pleasure

Uses – Orange has as gentle warming effect on the body and is believed to increase immunity.

Overdose – Too much orange may increase anxiety.

Pink

Emotions – Open-Hearted, Feminine, Approachable, Friendly, Flirty

Uses – Pink helps you feel more feminine and open hearted, as in more approachable and capable of loving others.

Overdose – Too much pink can bring on a tired or disoriented state.

– Bettijo B. Hirschi