National Color Therapy Month occurs in March each year, intending to inspire us to use colors to change our world. In the precise words of founder Eleyne-Mari, “Change your Colors…and you change your World!” So how exactly can one go about this? Well, the secret lies in an ancient practice of using color therapy to heal one’s energies. Before you dismiss this as ‘Hippie mumbo-jumbo’, take a second to think about how we all make use of different color choices to impact the way we feel. Whether it be in picking out an outfit or deciding on wall paint; on some level, we subconsciously make a decision based on how the colors affect our mood, feelings, and sensibilities. So perhaps there’s a rationale to this after all!
History of National Color Therapy Month
National Color Therapy Month was instituted in 2011 by Eleyne-Mari, founder of the Aura House School of Color and Light (2003,) and Color Healing Radio (2009). Her purpose in founding such a month of observance is to help people discover their light and joy through the use of color therapy. According to Eleyne-Mari, color therapy is essentially an ancient form of therapy that was utilized for “physical, emotional, or mental healing purposes” though it remains unknown as to exactly how this was done.But the significance of her choice in March is not to be overlooked either, as it is the month in which Spring is in the air and flowers are in full bloom; almost as if all of nature is in agreement with her mantra for change of color. The origin of color therapy (also known as ‘chromotherapy’) dates back thousands of years ago, in ancient China, Greece, India, and Egypt. It was in these civilizations that colors were used as medicine.This connects to the general use of properties of light and heat to help treat physical ailments. According to the rationale from these times, since the body consists of heat and the visible spectrum of light, it can be treated with the same, to re-order and restore balance. This is primarily why color therapists today also use light and color to balance the energies in the body which may not be ‘vibrant’ enough. They often use visualization and verbalization as tools to achieve this healing.
National Color Therapy Month timeline
The visible spectrum of light begins to be used to heal physical ailments like chronic pain and other illnesses.
Avicenna discovers the importance color plays in both diagnosing and treating physical diseases.
Isaac Newton’s experiments lead to the revolutionary discovery of refraction and the vibratory effect of colors.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe shares his treatise on how colors affect both psychological perception and physiological conditions.
National Color Therapy Month FAQs
What happens in a color therapy session?
Color therapy operates on the belief that the different colors which make up visible light each have their frequencies, therefore they charge our cells differently and hence affect the vibrations in our bodies. In a typical color therapy session, the therapist may use verbalization to get you to talk about how colors affect you and how they relate to aspects of your life.
What can color therapy treat?
Color therapy can treat both physical and mental health issues, due to the changes which are induced psychologically (like our moods) and physiologically too.
What is color therapy and how does it work?
It is a form of therapy that is non-invasive and purports to balance out the vibrations in the body. The idea is to revive, rejuvenate and restore the health of both mind and body. Colors can serve as a powerful treatment to influence one’s mood and perspectives.
How to Observe National Color Therapy Month
-
Indulge in some rainbow treats
Whether it’s a salad containing all seven colors of the rainbow, or rainbow sushi, or even a cocktail; this is a fun way to satiate both your creativity and your appetite.
-
Explore art
This pretty much goes without saying, as many people associate color with art (in some form or the other). So take a trip to your local gallery to support those colorful artists, or create your masterpiece — there are countless ways to celebrate through art.
-
Find colors out and about
Plan an innovative scavenger photo hunt outdoors, where participants have to go about the town finding colorful things to take pictures off, following whatever criteria you decide to set. It could be fun for the whole gang or family.
5 Interesting Facts About Colors And Their Therapeutic Benefits
-
Red for younger-looking skin
The color red decreases the signs of aging by increasing collagen production.
-
Blue for whiter teeth and fighting acne
Blue reduces the acne-causing bacteria and brightens teeth.
-
Yellow to reduce redness
Yellow can help reduce swellings, sunburn, and other acute skin conditions.
-
Green for an even complexion
Green is said to balance out redness and blotchiness to give a smoother look.
-
Violet for cell renewal
Violet helps with cell regeneration and new growth.
Why National Color Therapy Month is Important
-
It’s fascinating
The blend of science with tradition and belief, which color therapy utilizes is fascinating just to learn more about. You don’t have to buy in, but we recommend you explore it further.
-
A good excuse to redecorate
We all love an excuse to spruce up and make a change, and this month encourages us to do just that. From buying clothes of your favorite color to hanging a new piece of art or changing the color of your toothbrush — there are so many options.
-
It can be educational
There is plenty of research to suggest that color therapy can have a positive impact on children with behavioral issues, emotional issues, autism, or even learning disabilities. It can also be used as a powerful tool in the classroom.
National Color Therapy Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 1 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | March 1 | Friday |
| 2025 | March 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | March 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | March 1 | Monday |
