The Power of Colour and Light in Therapy
Colour plays an important role in our daily lives, influencing how we experience the world. It’s why we pay attention to colour when decorating a home, choosing an outfit, or setting the mood for a space.Beyond aesthetics, colour therapy (chromotherapy) is based on the idea that different colours and light wavelengths can have varied effects on wellbeing. Modern therapeutic approaches, including LED light therapy and phototherapy, explore the use of specific light frequencies for various applications.
At Neurofit Brain Centre, we incorporate light therapy as part of our brain-based approach to support neurodiversity, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing.
What Is Colour?
Colour is the result of how light interacts with our eyes and brain. The colour wheel helps designers, artists, and marketers understand how different colours relate to one another and how they may influence perception and emotional responses.
While colour psychology is widely used in branding and design, its role in therapeutic applications is still being explored.
How Does Colour Therapy Work?
Chromotherapy (colour therapy) is based on the idea that exposure to specific colours or light wavelengths may influence mood, focus, or relaxation.
Some applications of light therapy have been incorporated into medical practice, particularly in dermatology, sleep health, and cognitive function research. Red light therapy, blue light therapy, and phototherapy are among the most widely studied approaches.
Established Benefits of Colour Therapy
Colour Therapy for Jaundice
One of the most well-documented uses of light therapy is for neonatal jaundice treatment. Blue light therapy is commonly used in hospitals to help newborns break down excess bilirubin, supporting healthy liver function.
Colour Therapy for Anxiety
A 2022 study on dental anxiety found that patients exposed to blue or pink light before treatment reported lower stress levels. This was measured through heart rate, blood pressure, and self-reported anxiety scores (Saklecha et al., 2022).
Colour Therapy for Improving Attention and Memory
A 2013 study reviewed the potential effects of colour on cognitive function, noting that colour may play a role in enhancing attention and alertness, particularly in learning environments (Dzulkifli & Mustafar, 2013).
Colour Therapy for Sleep
We all need good sleep but it’s especially important – and can be especially challenging – for neurodiverse children.
If you think about natural light through a typical day, you’ll see a bright blue sky turn yellow, orange or red as the sun sets. The changing colours are a powerful sleep signal.
Ongoing exposure to blue light (from screens, for example) can delay the release of melatonin, the hormone that helps you sleep. Putting the screens away at least 30 minutes before bedtime and using warm light in the evenings can help to promote good sleep.
Practical applications of colour therapy
There are many ways to incorporate colour therapy into daily life. You could try:
- Having a blue lamp on your desk for focused periods of work
- Using an orange salt lamp or a red night light to help you or your child sleep
- Placing (real!) green plants around your home to improve your wellbeing
- Using colourful throws or cushions to calm your body or stimulate your mind, depending on the purpose of each room
- Grabbing attention in a red outfit or creating calm in a blue one
- Practising meditation and visualisation techniques that incorporate specific colours – imagine a blue light enveloping you for calmness or a yellow light for mental clarity and focus.
Benefits of red light therapy
Red light therapy works by repeatedly exposing your skin to low levels of red and near-infrared light. The light sinks into your skin by 1-2 mm and may improve cell function.
Though more research is needed, red light therapy may help to:
- Improve skin conditions like acne
- Reduce inflammation and swelling
- Repair muscles
- Promote healthy ageing.
Exploring LED Light Therapy and Phototherapy
What Is LED Light Therapy?
LED light therapy is used in various fields, including dermatology, cognitive wellness, and sleep health. Different light wavelengths are used depending on the goal of the treatment.
Common applications of LED light therapy include:
- Supporting skin health and inflammation management
- Promoting relaxation or alertness through light exposure
- Assisting with circadian rhythm balance
What Is Phototherapy?
Phototherapy refers to the medical use of light exposure to support various conditions, including:
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Certain dermatological conditions like psoriasis
- Sleep regulation therapies
Both LED light therapy and phototherapy are being explored in wellness and medical applications.
Colour as part of brain-based therapy
At Neurofit, we provide brain-based therapies to support people with neurodiversity, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative conditions. We emphasise that the brain works best when its two sides (hemispheres) are working well together.
So, where does colour therapy fit in?
The brain is quite amazing. It’s constantly changing in response to the stimulus it receives. At Neurofit, we use a range of different therapies to stimulate the right areas of the brain to ease your symptoms. One of those therapies is colour.
Red or blue glasses with lights on the side can be used to try and target certain areas of your brain. Blue lenses and a left-sided light are used to stimulate the right side of the brain, while red lenses and a right-sided light are used to stimulate the left side.
How Can Neurofit Brain Centre Help?
At Neurofit Brain Centre, we integrate light and colour therapy into personalised treatment plans for:
- ADHD, dyslexia, and autism support
- Neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
- Anxiety management and cognitive function support
By combining multiple therapeutic approaches, we provide structured, engaging, and measurable treatment programs.
Disclaimer
All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Neurofit Brain Centre can consult with you to confirm if a particular treatment approach is right for you.
References
- Canva, colour wheel, https://www.canva.com/colours/colour-wheel/, [Accessed 2 November 2023]
- Healthline, How does colour therapy improve your mood? https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/the-mood-boosting-benefits-of-color-therapy, [Accessed 2 November 2023]
- Science Daily, Effect of colours: blue boosts creativity, while red enhances attention to detail, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090205142143.htm, [2 November 2023]
- Saklecha P, Kishan KV, Savaliya K. Effect of chromotherapy on the anxiety level in the patients undergoing endodontic treatment: A randomized clinical study. J Conserv Dent. 2022 Jul-Aug;25(4):398-402. doi: 10.4103/jcd.jcd_381_21. Epub 2022 Aug 2. PMID: 36187850; PMCID: PMC9520646.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9520646/, [Accessed 18 June 2024]
- The Conversation, Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for neurodiverse children – pediatric sleep experts explain why, https://theconversation.com/getting-a-good-nights-rest-is-vital-for-neurodiverse-children-pediatric-sleep-experts-explain-why-222478, [Accessed 18 June 2024]
- Sleep Foundation, What colour light helps you sleep? https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/what-color-light-helps-you-sleep, [Accessed 18 June 2024]
- Healthline, 7 science-backed benefits of indoor plants, https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits, [Accessed 18 June 2024]
- Healthline, What is red light therapy and how does it work? https://www.healthline.com/health/red-light-therapy, [Accessed 18 June 2024]
- Dzulkifli MA, Mustafar MF. The influence of colour on memory performance: a review. Malays J Med Sci. 2013 Mar;20(2):3-9. PMID: 23983571; PMCID: PMC3743993. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743993/, [Accessed 2 November 2023]
