pG
29
Researchers have studied colours to
develop a deeper, holistic understanding
of its power in healing and the healthcare
environment. Below is a summary of the
meaning and effect of each colour group
relative to emotion, the body and healing.
Light Cool Neutrals
Often pale, white gives the feeling of purity
and neutrality. It can connote mental
clarity and fresh beginnings. Overall, white
projects cleanliness and purification. Grey
is a true neutral and can be restful. It can
create a non-invasive feeling and can cool
more vibrant colours.
Dark Cool Neutrals
Black is authoritative and canevoke a feeling
of mystery or emptiness. Culturally, we
have come to view black as sophisticated.
Earth Tones/Light and
Dark Neutrals
All warm earth tone colours such as grays,
beiges, and browns etc. ground you and
help you feel sedentary and stable. The
earth tone colour family is approachable
and warm. It is a colour family that is
familiar and soothing.
Yellow
Yellow stimulates the intellect andmakes us
alert and aware. Yellow reflects more light
and can fatigue the eye. It is warm, inviting
and uplifting. In healthcare, certain hues of
yellow work where others are more difficult.
In the body it responds to chest, heart and
lungs. Tony Torres documents in his book
In My Room
that children with asthma and
breathing problems react most favourably
to yellow.
Orange
Orange is associated with joy. It radiates
warmth. In the body, it is associated with
circulation and nervous system. It can have
a tonic effect that is as powerful as Vitamin
C. Orange is attention-getting and can
be very playful. There are studies linking
orangetoincreasingoxygensupplytothebrain.
Red
It is shown that red releases adrenaline,
which elevates blood pressure and quickens
the heartbeat. It is exciting and energizing.
It is often attention-getting. With regard to
the body, it is associated with the spine and
motor skill activities.
Pink
Gentle and typically feminine and warm.
Pink is caring and affectionate. It is a colour
of love and tenderness. It can be protective
and full of compassion. Pink is a happy
colour and can often be lighthearted. If it is
bright, it can stimulate energy and respond
like red. However, when used in prison cells
and institutional settings, it can effectively
reduce behavior that is erratic.
Purple
Purple and violet typically are linked
to creativity and spirituality. It helps to
develop insight and perception. Violet in the
body corresponds to the top of the head,
the nervous system and cerebral activity.
It often supports non-verbal activity. There are
varying associations culturally from royalty.
Green
When the eye perceives green, it makes
no adjustment; thus green is thought to
be restful and healing. It is also the colour
associated with balance, harmony and
renewal. It represents a sense of equilibrium
and because it is the colour of nature, It is
comforting and stress relieving. In the body,
green relates to the heart lungs, circulatory
system and complete chest area.
Turquoise
Thisuniqueblendofgreenandblueisvibrant
and invigorating. It is particularly suitable
to healthcare because it is reminiscent of
relaxing environments of pure, fresh water.
You find it in spas because of the way it
soothes tension and stress.
Blue
Blue has always been connected to calm.
It is infinite and its association with the sky
makes it heavenly. It lowers blood pressure
and the heartbeat, and allows for deep
breathing as it relaxes muscles and the
mind. It is a colour for communication. In
the body, it correlates with the eyes, ears and
noseand involves seeing, hearingandsmelling.
COLOUR AND HEALING
