We all know by experience how a splash of colour can lift our mood on a grey day, or how slipping into a bright sunshine yellow top can make you feel brighter. But did you know that colours can not only change how we feel they can actually heal us too?
Welcome to the vibrant world of colour therapy – also known as chromotherapy. A gentle, natural approach to well-being that’s gaining popularity among people looking for harmony in body, mind, and spirit. Especially for those of us in our golden years, colour therapy offers a lovely, non-invasive way to feel better, sleep sounder, and add a little sparkle back into daily life.
Colour therapy may sound like a new fad, but it’s anything but. The ancient Egyptians were among the first to explore its power, using coloured crystals and sunlit rooms with tinted glass to treat different ailments. In India, traditional Ayurvedic medicine has long connected colours to energy centres in the body, known as chakras, believing that balancing these energies can help prevent illness and emotional upset.
Fast-forward to today, and colour therapy is being rediscovered by a new generation of holistic practitioners. Whether it’s used to ease anxiety, support recovery, or simply bring joy, it’s a gentle way to nurture the self.
At the heart of colour therapy is the idea that different colours resonate with different parts of the body. These areas are called chakras, and there are seven main ones, running from the base of your spine to the top of your head. Each chakra is associated with a colour and a different aspect of your physical and emotional health:
Red (Root Chakra) – Linked to stability and grounding. Think warm, earthy tones for feeling secure and energised.
Orange (Sacral Chakra) – Associated with creativity and joy it is also tied in with relationships (our relationships to money, people etc). Great for lifting low moods or reigniting passion in life.
Yellow (Solar Plexus Chakra) – Tied to self-esteem and confidence. Sunshine hues to help you feel empowered.
Green (Heart Chakra) – The colour of healing and compassion. Perfect for emotional balance and soothing grief.
Blue (Throat Chakra) – Helps with communication and expression. Calms nerves and eases stress.
Indigo (Third Eye Chakra) – Linked to intuition and insight. Deep purples support peaceful sleep and clarity.
Violet/White (Crown Chakra) – Represents spiritual connection. Ideal for meditation and feeling at peace with the world.
You don’t need a therapy room or spa to benefit from colour therapy, your own home can become a sanctuary of healing. Start with these simple ideas:
Paint with intention: Choose colours that support your mood in each room. Soft blues and greens are wonderful for bedrooms, while cheerful yellows brighten kitchens or craft rooms.
Wear your colours: What you wear affects how you feel. Try a red scarf for energy, or a lilac top when you need calm.
Use coloured lighting: Some people use colour-changing lightbulbs or lamps with filters to bathe a room in healing tones.
Fresh flowers and artwork: A vase of orange marigolds or a landscape painting in cool tones can change the whole feel of a space.
Crystals and fabrics: Coloured throws, cushions, or even stained-glass sun-catchers can gently shift the energy in your environment.
Or simply sit and visualise during meditation the colour of the chakra you want to heal.
If you’d like to experience colour therapy in a deeper way, there are places across the country offering sessions tailored to your needs:
Holistic health centres often offer chromotherapy as part of a wider treatment plan, including massage or reiki.
Spa retreats may include colour therapy rooms or chakra-balancing treatments.
Yoga studios sometimes run workshops on chakras and colour healing.
Art therapy groups – many community centres now offer sessions that combine painting with emotional wellbeing, perfect for exploring colour at your own pace.
You can also find guided colour meditation videos online, ideal for relaxing in your favourite chair with a cup of tea.
At 60 and over, our health shouldn’t just revolve around general medicine – we have had six decades of doing the norm when it comes to our health. So why not be bold, brilliant and step out of the crowd and trying something new, that just might bring a touch of wonderful into your life. Colour therapy invites us to surround ourselves with beauty and intention, helping us connect our body and mind in a nurturing, positive way.
So whether you add a splash of ruby-red lipstick, paint your bedroom a lovely soft green, or simply choose your clothes with a bit more mindfulness – colours can play a big part in how you feel.
After all, healing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, all it takes is a touch of colour.
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