Turn Winter Blahs into Winter Blues

Turn Winter Blahs into Winter Blues

Feel the need to escape this winter? Create your own "getaway" by surrounding yourself with soothing colours. Colour is a powerful tool to create mood in a room. The notion of colour therapy takes this one step further. Discovering how you can use colour to actually feel better in a room is an important step to creating your getaway. Colour therapy is a technique that makes use of various shades and tones to naturally balance one’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energies while stimulating the body’s healing process.

Statistics show that more than 600,000 Canadians suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder where the weather has a direct, negative impact on our mood and behaviour. Certain colours can counteract feelings of sadness, particularly in people who are easily affected by climate. Colour has often been connected with the art of healing. In the past, cures have included the use of colour gems, the wrapping of coloured cloth on injured areas, and medicines made of dyes from animals and plants.

To effectively beat the winter ‘blahs’ try some of the following paint colours on your walls:

• Blues. Selected for their soothing attributes and connection with water, these shades have an association with such feelings as serenity, harmony & peace. Soft blues create a calming environment. Riverside Rock P5162-34, Breezy P5003-24, Pinstripe P5005-24, Seascape P5007-24, Rhythm Changes P5012-14

• Reds. If you’re one that connects with red, then use its warmth and energy to recharge your batteries. Splash these colours on accessories or an accent wall and even the dullest room with come alive and so will you. Just remember when using red in a bedroom that you should only be using it behind your bed. Red is a stimulant and keeps you awake. Kiss Goodnight P5079-73, Viva Glam P5086-63, Gingham P5083-73, Too Hot To Handle P5078-85, Schmooze 5082-85

• Greens. Like nature, the colour green-particularly muted green- is known for its regenerating and calming qualities. Urban Getaway P5215-51, Deep Breath P5171-51, Natural Habitat P5173-73, Digital P5222-62, Pinafore Park P5218-62

• Yellows. Universal shades of happiness, mellow yellows are known to promote memory, clear thinking and good judgment. The also infuse a healthy dose of optimism. Ginger P5055-41, Afternoon Rest P5057-41, Fireflies P5052-24, Sweet Sundress P5053-41, Saffron P5055-73,

• Neutrals. Canadians are definitely fans of their neutral palettes. Beyond bringing warmth to a room, neutral hues such as sandy taupe’s and cream whites can be uplifting, offering a stress release from life’s daily pressures. Many high end spas often feature off-whites and pale earth tones for this reason. Floppy Straw Hat P5228-44, Stone Crab P5231-62, Orchid P5224-24, Out For A Stroll P5204-14, Steamy Summer Air P5064-14

For one to fully benefit from the effects of colour therapy, try a combination of colours, either within one room or applied separately in different rooms. Creating your own personal space, with your tastes and needs, along with the right mix of colours on your walls, may have you wondering why you didn’t try this sooner.

For additional colour inspiration visit PARA Paints