Could Color Help You Sleep?

The Role Of Chromatherapy In Finding An Insomnia Cure
Chromatherapy, or color therapy, involves the use of color to promote general health and also to treat particular maladies (including sleep-oriented problems).

Useful in treating both emotional and physical sleep disturbances, chromatherapy may involve exposure to colored lights, massages using color-saturated oils and salves, meditation and visualization of certain colors, or the wearing of certain colors of clothing.

The use of color in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders dates back many centuries. Some 2,500 years ago, Pythagoras applied color light therapeutically and "color halls" were used for healing in ancient Egypt, China and India.

In the days of ancient Egypt, practitioners built solariums with specifically designed glasses and lenses that served to break up the sun's rays into the colors of the spectrum.

In the late 17th century modern-day color theory was born when English mathematician and philosopher Sir Isaac Newton conducted his prism experiments and showed that light is truly a mixture of colors from the visible spectrum.

In India, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine believe that specific colors correspond with each of the seven chakras - vortices of energy in the body that represent organs, emotions, and aspects of the soul or life force.

But it was not until the late 1800s, when Dr. Edwin D. Babbitt published his book, Principles of Light and Color, that Chromatherapy as we know it was outlined.

In this work, Dr. Babbitt suggests the use of color as a treatment for a variety of ailments, including sleep and anxiety disorders.

In the late 1940s, Russian researcher S.V. Krakov conducted a series of experiments in which he separated the different wavelengths in the light spectrum to show how color affects the nervous system.

In his experiments, he observed that red light stimulated the adrenal glands, raising blood pressure and pulse rate, and that blue and white light had a calming, relaxing effect.

Many practitioners still use the results of Krakov's studies today and commonly recommend his brand of color therapy for the treatment of stress and stress-related pain.

Today, many mainstream researchers commonly turn to chromatherapy for the treatment of a variety of ailments - particularly sleep disorders.

Color is a property of light, which comprises many different waves of energy. When light falls upon the photoreceptor cells of the retina, it is converted into electrical impulses that travel to the brain and trigger the release of hormones.

The release of these hormones in controlled bursts can be used to treat your body and mind for many of the medical conditions that hinder sleep as well as to promote conditions that are conducive to sleep and rest.

While many forms of chromatherapy can and should only be practiced by licensed practitioners and/or medical doctors, some forms of color therapy are simple and safe enough to be practiced in the comfort of your own home. These include wearing clothing of particular hues, surrounding yourself with a recommended color, eating certain colorful foods, and concentrating on visualizing a particular color.

Each of the seven colors of the spectrum is associated with specific healing properties.

Violet
Violet promotes enlightenment, revelation, and spiritual awakening. Violet is often used to soothe organs, relax muscles, and calm the nervous system.

Indigo
Indigo is also sedative and calming. It is said to promote intuition. Indigo may be useful in controlling bleeding and abscesses.

Blue
Blue promotes communication and knowledge. It eliminates toxins, and is used to treat liver disorders and jaundice.

Green
Because it falls in the middle of the color spectrum, green is associated with balance. Green is calming, and is used by Ayurvedic practitioners to promote healing of ulcers. It is said to have antiseptic and antibacterial properties and is sometimes used by holistic color therapists to treat bacterial infections.

Yellow
Yellow is a sensory stimulant associated with wisdom and clarity. It is thought to have decongestant and antibacterial properties, and is useful in stimulating both the digestive and lymphatic systems.

Orange
Orange promotes pleasure, enthusiasm, and sexual stimulation. Ayurvedic practitioners believe it has antibacterial properties and may be useful in easing digestive system discomforts such as flatulence and cramps.

Red
Red promotes energy, empowerment, and stimulation. It is thought to improve circulation and stimulate red blood cell production.
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Other Offerings Now Available To Help Induce Sleep
Located in midtown Manhattan, Yelo offers its patrons the opportunity to take 20- to 40-minute naps in YeloCabs, which use a patented YeloNap sleep technology. The YeloCabs are private rooms that use light and color therapies, and also offer a "zero gravity" chair that elevates the legs above the heart to encourage maximum relaxation. Being well rested comes at a price however, and a 20-minute nap costs
$12.

The Transport

The shiny egg-shaped Transport offers a womb-like elliptical opening that aims to evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation. This handmade, custom-ordered piece, which retails for $13,000, is not specifically marketed as a napping device. It does, however, provide a nap-friendly, trance-inducing environment of color, music, and vibration that can be employed in bedrooms and spas. The napper lies on a fluffy cloud-like cushion, set atop a temperature-controlled water bed.