You probably have your own favourite colours that you enjoy surrounding yourself with, or wearing, but can colours be good for you.

Healing power
Have you ever painted a room a new colour and found you liked spending more time there? Do you always feel great when you wear red? That's not an accident, according to colour therapists. Colour is light of varying wavelengths and, as such, it is a form of energy. Colour therapists believe this energy can be used to restore balance to our body and mind and help our own healing process.

Medical alert
In recent times, medical experts have investigated colour therapy - or chromotherapy as it is also known. They have looked into the effects and benefits of using colour therapy for everything from kidney inflammation and high blood pressure, to neonatal care and musculoskeletal pain.

While there's no conclusive evidence that colour therapy helps these conditions, there is a wide professional acceptance of the link between colour and mood. For example, a study into coloured-light therapy, published in the Australian Journal of Holistic Nursing, April 2000, found this alternative treatment had the potential to become an important tool in psychotherapy.

The researcher used a type of colour therapy called ocular-light therapy that involves the projection of light through coloured filters into the eyes. This is thought to stimulate the cortical and hypothalamic regions of the brain, both of which are important to emotional response. The author of the study claims his interest in colour therapy was sparked by working with stained glass and becoming aware of the way in which the coloured light affected his own moods.

Through the ages
Colour therapy has been around for centuries. Ancient Egyptian doctors hung dyed cloth over windows to bathe their patients in colour. It was used by Pythagoras, Goethe and Rudolf Steiner and is mentioned in ancient Chinese and Indian texts.

If you visit a colour therapist today, you'll find they use a variety of treatment methods, from exposing you to coloured lights, to suggesting you eat different coloured foods or change the colours of your home or office.

However, colour therapy can also be used in daily life, even if the medical evidence for physical benefits is not yet in. After all, if colour can transform a room, and we know that it can change your mood, then it can certainly help beat stress. Just thinking about your favourite colours may put you in a relaxed mood. It could also increase your energy levels and cheer you up.

Colour your world
If you're in the habit of wearing dark colours, it may be time to break out of the mould and find new colours to lift not only your home and your wardrobe, but also your state of mind. Simply being conscious of the colours that you wear, as well as those around you, is the first step to using them as your own form of therapy

Colour guide
Orange is said to stimulate the appetite.

Red is a stimulating colour that can increase your heartbeat and breathing rate. It's also the colour of love. The Chinese believe red is lucky.

Pink can have a tranquillising effect, can help reduce aggression and is a good colour for soothing babies.

Blue is peaceful and calming.

Green symbolises nature and is often used in green rooms in television studios to help guests relax.

Yellow is an energising colour, it stimulates the appetite and is said to help improve memory.

Purple is the colour of luxury and sophistication and can make the wearer feel like royalty.

Lavender is said to be a good colour to paint your kitchen if you are always on a diet because it suppresses the appetite.