Introduction to Color Therapy: Blue

Color is all around us.  It has a profound effect on our emotions.  Most of us have a favorite color or colors.  Wearing those colors or surrounding ourselves with them make you feel a certain way that is pleasing to you.  Maybe your favorite color makes you feel relaxed, or happy, or energetic.  Maybe it reminds you of a specific person or event in your life.  

It is no coincidence that we use colors to describe emotional states.  "I'm feeling blue", "She was green with envy", "He's red with anger", etc.  This tendency speaks to our deep emotional ties to color.  Psychologists have found that since certain colors affect our emotional states in different ways, painting or decorating different institutions in different colors can promote or detract from the work that needs to be done there.  Therefore, some schools, offices, homes, etc. are designed with specific color schemes in mind.  So, how can we use color to help us in our every day lives?  First we will take a look at each color, the effect it has, and how you can use it to your advantage.

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Blue
We will start off by talking about the color blue.  

Physical Effects

Blue is known as a cool color.  It is no coincidence that most ice packs are colored blue.  It can be used to soothe fevers and inflammation.  If you have a headache, you may find that looking at the color blue feels soothing.  

Because of it's soothing, and calming effect, blue is often used by color therapists to help with treatment of high blood pressure, or other stress or anxiety related disorders.  Associated with the throat chakra, blue is also great for laryngitis, sore throat, communication or speech problems, and respiratory and sinus conditions.  Just think about how soothing it feels to inhale with a cool blue mint or lozenge.  

Emotional Effects

So what are the effects that the color blue has on your emotions?  Because it is a cool color, it can be used to calm anger, much like it soothes physical inflammation.  Blue is very soothing in general.  Many people feel at peace or relaxed when surrounded by or looking at the color blue.  It can help to promote a state of deep relaxation, and is great for massage therapists to use in their treatment rooms.  

Blue is also associated with fairness, justice, guidance, truth, loyalty, honor, and wisdom.  For this reason, it is a great option for therapists or lawyers.  It is also great for anyone giving a speech who wants people to take what they say as truth.

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How to use Blue

Now that you know all of the ways that the color blue can help, how do you put it into action, and make it work for you?  There are several ways to incorporate The color blue into your everyday life. 

Clothing

Clothing is something we change every day, and therefore, we can choose articles of clothing to match our needs.  Wear blue when you want to be taken seriously or be seen as an authority on something.  Try wearing it to job interviews, presentations, meetings with clients, etc.  If you can't or don't wish to wear all blue, try accenting with blue accessories.  Ladies, try wearing blue jewelry, blue nail polish, a blue scarf, a blue purse, or blue shoes.  Men, try wearing a blue tie, or blue socks.  Parents, if your child has a presentation at school, suggest that they wear blue in their clothes that day. 

Home Decor

If you have trouble sleeping, try adding touches of blue to your bedroom to help calm your mind before going to sleep. If you have a space that you like to go into to relax, try blue cushions, curtains, or wall art.  Perhaps use blue colored light bulbs, or place blue covers over lights.  When covering lights, make sure that the cover is heat resistant and doesn't touch the bulb directly.  A lampshade or scarf over a lamp is a great option, especially if you are prone to headaches.  If you get bad headaches, try keeping blue scarves to stretch over the top of a lampshade to help soothe your eyes.  You can also add touches of blue with flowers or trinkets used as decoration.

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Crystals

Carrying or displaying crystals is a great form of color therapy.  Each crystal has it's own healing properties, but even those often correspond with their colors.  Some crystals you can use for blue are blue lace agate, aquamarine, celestite, chrysocolla, blue fluorite, labradorite, lapis lazuli, moonstone, blue quartz, sapphire, sodalite, blue topaz, blue tourmaline, or turquoise.  If you wish to find out more about the individual stones, a quick google search can give you all of the information you need.  

Other ways to use blue
Have a report due?  Whether for school or work, try putting reports in a blue folder when handing them in.  The information is more likely to be taken in and accepted as fact.  To seem trustworthy and more like an authority in your field, try using blue on your business cards.  Can you think of any other ways to use blue in your favor?  Leave your ideas in the comments.

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