Color Therapy… by JoAnn
A few weeks ago, I came upon an advertisement on my phone for an ap to paint by numbers. I’m a kid of the 60s & 70s, so I have done a few paint by number pieces of artwork. The thought of painting on my phone intrigued me. So I downloaded the app.
It offered hundreds of different drawings! So I chose one that appealed to me. Much like the old-fashioned paint by numbers, the drawing was made up of little sections, each with its own number. I simply had to tap on the appropriate number and a bright color would magically appear. Before I knew it, the drawing would begin to take shape, and the closer I got to the end, the more pleasing to the eye it became. Not only was it simple, it was fun. I was hooked.
I have never liked, or had any desire to play games on my phone. But this paint by number thing has been very enjoyable for me. Not only does it feed the creative side of my soul, it seems to have a calming effect on me. I was surprised by this. I found that when I’m feeling a little anxious, or find myself worrying too long about something, I can take a few minutes to do a paint by a number drawing, and I am feeling much lighter.
What is it about these little drawings with bright colors that makes me feel good? How can something so simple bring relief from real anxiety or stress? I Googled “color therapy” and found an answer.
Also called chromopathy or chromotherapy, color therapy is used to heal, energize, and soothe us. It seems color therapy has been used as far back as Ancient Egypt to promote physical and psychological balance. Who knew!
After reading about it, and experiencing the benefits first hand, color therapy really does make sense. Colors are some of the most wonderful pleasures we are given in this life! They are all around us. They are free to enjoy every minute of our day. It’s as though colors have moods just like us. Bright colors cheer us up. Warm colors are comforting.
I average completing 2 of the paint by number drawings a day. I always share them on my Facebook page. A dear friend of mine told me that she looks forward to seeing what I will post next. The thought that I make her smile, makes me smile!
I think it’s safe to say that we take colors for granted. They are everywhere and always there. But what if there were no colors? What a dull world we would have to look at. I’m glad I have found a new appreciation for colors. How about you?
