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All Woman
Colour (Part 1)
BRINGING THE SPA HOME
Stella Gray, Spa Elder Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon
Monday, June 29, 2009
We are surrounded by colour every second of the day from the moment we open our eyes in the mornings until we close them at nights. It should come as no surprise to learn that individual colours are believed to have an impact on emotions and the way we behave. Colour is light energy and it affects living cells, thus it has, without our realising, a profound effect on how we feel both mentally and physically.
We know that we tend to feel uplifted on a bright sunny day but after a few grey overcast days we feel a bit down. Here in Jamaica the lack of light is not an issue, but in cold northern countries where the skies are mostly grey and there are few daylight hours in a day, many people suffer from what is known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD. These prolonged periods of light deprivation can cause people to suffer from hormonal difficulties, sleep disorders, vitamin deficiencies and disturbances in their normal body cycle which can lead to depression.
In the past people who were deemed "mad" were put in darkened rooms supposedly to help keep them calm, but as you can imagine this only made them "madder" as their bodies were no longer getting the light they needed.
Just stop and think for a moment about how colours make you feel. Studies have shown that our very personalities are revealed by the colours we are attracted to. People who like blue, for example, are said to be confident and soft-hearted. Those who go for red can be stubborn in nature, always want things their own way and also like things to be simple and straightforward. If you are attracted to violet or purple, then you are likely to be sympathetic and tend to work hard to maintain successful relationships.
Does one colour make you feel agitated, does another soothe and calm you, while another makes you feel stimulated? There is really no "right" colour for someone or something, as colour depends on the occasion or the individual, and so use your eyes and your natural instinct to know what colours to wear or use in decorating your home or workspace. By simply observing how the shade and tone of a colour makes you feel can indicate whether it is a beneficial colour for you.
Colour can also guide cultural perceptions. White is used in the west as the colour for brides as it represents purity. In the east it is the colour of death as it has been the traditional colour of the shroud. Brides in India wear red as it symbolises vibrancy, purity and happiness.
Many ancient cultures have practised chromatherapy or colour therapy. Here at Fern Tree, The Spa at Half Moon, we have installed chromatherapy lights at the entrance as these have a soothing effect on the senses. We also have chromatherapy bath tubs where you can be immersed in the colours of the rainbow. The lights can be halted at the colour of your choice - blue if you want to relax and red if you want to be energised.
Hospitals will often choose pale green paint in their rooms as green is calming and balancing. Surgeons will wear white to represent cleanliness or green for its soothing effect on the mind.
The colours we choose to decorate our homes should be ones that create a sense of peace and harmony, especially in the bedrooms. Colours that uplift can be used in the sitting room and a cheerful colour is great for the kitchen. Light colours will make a room look bigger and generally brighter and more airy. Dark colours will add an air of warmth and sophistication and make a large room feel more intimate.
The colours that we wear can affect our mood and personality. How often have you stood in front of the closet not knowing what to wear, trying on many different outfits until you feel "right"? Often, without realising it, your choice of colour or style will create that feeling of "rightness".
Spa Elder Tip
To balance your mood, invest in a set of coloured markers and paint a rainbow. The colours you are most drawn to are the ones you will need most. Set aside ten minutes a day to paint
your rainbow and feel the sense of balance that will come into your life.
Stella Gray is the Spa Elder at Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon, with over 35 years in the spa industry. She can be reached at ferntree@halfmoon.com.
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