CAROL'S COLUMN

Views & tips from your side of the counter........

COLOUR THERAPY We all know that wearing certain colours makes us feel good - we may not know why it's definitely true. Colour therapy is big business these days, with stressed-out busy lives everywhere all of us are looking for quick-fix solutions. The answer could be to simply change your approach to colour. If you know that pink makes you feel happy, then don't fill your wardrobe with blue blouses!              If yellow lifts your mood and makes you sing, don't paint your kitchen grey. If you're not 'in touch' with which colour brings out which emotion in you, then experiment with large pieces of hardboard painted with different colours you have chosen. Sit with your cup of coffee and look at the board for 10 minutes. It may sound a bit 'new age' but how did the colour make you feel? Did you feel calm and relaxed? Or did you feel like dancing? I know that the board I painted blue made me feel sad and a bit depressed - I don't know why, but it did. Whereas the lime green board made me feel energetic and ready for some spring cleaning! And whenever I'm feeling a bit poorly I dig out my old pink bed jacket coz it makes me feel better. Don't be afraid to use your favourite colours in your home as well as your wardrobe - whether it's in fashion or not! As they say, if you feel good on the inside, it will show on the outside. Heres a few to try:-                • Purple and lilac can calm people with mental health disorders and has quite well recognised healing qualities. Lilac and lavender shades are good restful colours and are excellent choices for bedrooms or to wear next to the face when you're feeling particularly stressed.              • Green is the essence of nature and is a good colour for easing stress and trauma. It is often used in hospitals to help promote a feeling of wellbeing. Different shades of green promote differing energy levels though. A fresh lime colour can encourage a burst of energy and make you want to take a walk in the fresh air, whilst darker, more leafy shades can feel really 'Christmassy' and make you want to curl up with a good book.              • Blue apparently instils peace and tranquillity but be careful on the shade. The most difficult of all the colours to get right, I feel, as too pale can give an 'icy' feel and too deep can be depressing, as in feeling 'blue'. Practice with the colour board for this one!              • Brown, from chocolate through to beige whilst being a good neutral, can be luxurious, sumptuous a very flattering to the face. Imagine a chocolate coloured faux fur throw on your bed, or caramel silk pyjamas and you're on the right track. Browns and beiges are the most common shades of eye make-up sold as they flatter almost everyone. Brown and its associate shades have made a huge comeback in our homes as they are easy on the eye - if you don't want to overdo it always team up with gorgeous creams, mocha and latte colours. Divine!