Business Weekly (Zimbabwe)

Colour therapy may be helpful in alleviatin­g mental illness

- — IOL Health

THESE therapies are becoming increasing­ly popular in modern times due to their effectiven­ess in managing mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Mindful therapies are different from traditiona­l therapy methods because they focus on developing an ongoing awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings as they happen, rather than trying to suppress or control them.

Colour therapy, also known as chromother­apy or light therapy, is a form of alternativ­e therapy that uses specific colours to stimulate the body and promote well-being.

This type of therapy is based on the idea that different colours can balance the body’s energy centres and enhance physical, emotional, and mental health. Colour therapy is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt and has been used in traditiona­l healing practices for centuries.

There are various reasons why some patients opt for alternativ­e medicine as opposed to traditiona­l therapies, could be to lack of improvemen­t, stigma or even access.

However some claim that alternativ­e therapies are increasing­ly widely used because they target the underlying causes of mental health problems rather than only treating their symptoms, have less side effects than medication-based treatments, and are less expensive than convention­al therapy or medication

“The Efficacy of Colour Therapy on Mental Health of Nephrology and Hemodialys­is Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial”.

In this study, colour therapy was found to be effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and improving the quality of life in nephrology and hemodialys­is patients.

While a different study on the impact of colour therapy on anxiety in individual­s with type 2 diabetes discovered that it was successful in lowering anxiety in patients with the disease.

“A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Red Light on Mental Health”. This study discovered that red light treatment was successful in alleviatin­g the signs of anxiety and depression.

A pilot research on the Effects of Colour Therapy on Depression, discovered that colour therapy effectivel­y lessened depressive symptoms.

Overall, these studies suggest that colour therapy and other alternativ­e mental health therapies may have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. However, more research is needed to fully understand their efficacy and how they can be incorporat­ed into mainstream healthcare practices.

Colour therapy is used in a variety of ways, including through the use of coloured lights, crystals, and meditation. Different colours are thought to have different healing properties, such as blue being calming and red being energising. Colour therapy is particular­ly useful for people who are sensitive to traditiona­l therapies such as talk therapy.

Colour therapy has been found to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as improve sleep and reduce pain.

This therapy helps to balance the body’s energy centres, reducing negative emotions, and helping individual­s feel more balanced and centred. This form of therapy is becoming popular in modern times due to its holistic approach to mental health and wellness.

In short, mindful therapies are gaining popularity due to their effectiven­ess in managing mental health issues. Colour therapy is an excellent example of a mindful therapy that has been used for centuries and is becoming more mainstream in modern times.

By providing a non-invasive and holistic approach to mental health, colour therapy and other mindful therapies are providing individual­s with new alternativ­es to traditiona­l therapy methods.

It’s important to note, however, that alternativ­e treatments should not be seen as a replacemen­t for traditiona­l medical advice and treatment. It’s always best to consult a healthcare profession­al and discuss your

options.

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