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by Reena Daruwalla, guest writer for Nancy Hayssen.com

Did you ever walk into a room and feel a certain sense of calm comfort come over you, or feel invigorated and rejuvenated simply by looking something, say beautiful tree or bunch of flowers?

Have you thought that it could be just the color that you see which has this impact on you? Color can affect our moods and mental state. While some colors can be uplifting, some seem to depress us. Similarly some colors can inspire while some don’t have quite that effect on us.

There is an entire branch of study devoted to Light Therapy, Color psychology and Counseling! Color and light therapy has its roots in ancient healing systems, but has been studied and developed by modern scientists and medical specialists for application in its present form.

This therapy teaches you how you can use colors in your environment, your home, place of work and even your clothes. Color and light therapy includes healing through visualization and special breathing techniques too. Colors are thought to have different energies, which can be channeled into our bodies in a therapeutic manner.

Even generally speaking, we tend to associate certain colors with certain moods: red is generally associated with passion, heat, excitement. Green represents new beginnings, rejuvenation, fecundity. Yellow is generally viewed to be a happy, sunny color, blue is viewed as cool or cooling. White is the color of peace.

There are social and cultural connotations to color as well: for instance while orange could be viewed as a bright cheerful color in the west, in Indian symbolism it is somberly representative of sacrifice and valor, especially in the battle field. Whereas in the west brides wear white, in India widows wear white. Red in India is the color for a married woman, the color of her bridal attire, the vermilion in the parting of her hair, the color of the bangles she wears!

What colors can do is alter our perception of what we see, so that if you have a rather small room, coloring it in light colors can make it appear larger. With the right colors you can create a serene haven in your room that can soothe and calm.

So it is a good idea to do some serious thinking about what colors effect you positively and make an effort to surround yourself with them, because colors are thought to effect growth and sleep patterns, nervous system and even sexual behavior! Right color on the walls, perhaps on the sheets can make a big difference. Perhaps you have noticed that? I know I have!