“It is healing to surround yourself with colorful things. What delights the eye refreshes the mind, and what refreshes the mind refreshes the body.”
Prentice Mulford
Light is an important source of energy for people, plants, and many kinds of animals. It is no coincidence that we feel deprived of light in winter, experience the so-called “winter blues,” and long so much for the precious rays of sunshine that warm our spirits and stimulate our bodies to produce vitamin D, which strengthens our bones. Hardly anyone hasn’t considered visiting a tanning salon during the cold months and enjoying the cozy warmth on their skin—the brightness behind closed eyes that makes us think of summer, the beach, and vacation. Relaxation is practically guaranteed.
A better, gentler, and more varied alternative is offered by saunas or infrared cabins. These heat-giving units create a pleasant sensation through radiant heat, providing the ideal conditions for relaxation—all without harmful UV rays. With integrated color lighting, you can also make use of the reputed and widely recognized influence of color on body and mind.
Today, LED color lighting can be found not only in saunas but also in well-equipped infrared cabins, where it can be used specifically to achieve certain effects. In the following article, we explore exactly how light and colors affect us, what positive effects different colors can have, and whether they can help us say goodbye to the “winter blues” once and for all.
How does light affect my body?
Light truly is a wonder of nature, as it possesses a unique combination of properties. On the one hand, it consists of particles, just like everything around us; on the other, light is an electromagnetic wave, comparable to radio waves or X-rays. With infrared light, for example, the waves are longer. Infrared waves occur naturally and can also be found in sunlight. What is special about them is that they warm objects, such as our bodies, without warming the objects in between, such as the air. This warming effect becomes very clear when the sun disappears behind the clouds for a moment. It suddenly gets colder, even though the surrounding air cannot cool down that quickly. The sun’s warming infrared rays are briefly missing.
Depending on whether we receive a lot or a little light, our well-being is affected—in long stretches of gray winter weather, our mood is gloomier than when the sun shines in a blue sky. That is why light is studied not only in the fields of health and medicine. Its effects are also increasingly at the forefront of our immediate surroundings, in architecture and home design, through carefully planned lighting concepts and specialized lighting techniques.
What effect does colored light have?
Colored light is absorbed through the skin and the eyes. The latter occurs via the optic nerves, which trigger different reactions in our nervous system. But our surface skin cells also absorb color vibrations and transmit them to our nervous system.
In healing practices, this is referred to as a biophoton field of energy, in which so-called biophotons (the smallest particles of light) control all processes in the body, including regeneration and growth. When health problems arise, the body lacks biophotons needed to make healing as efficient as possible. Light effects can therefore also be used to support the treatment of illnesses and complaints with both physical and psychological causes. Each color has a different effect and can affect the human body in different ways.
If you want to achieve the full effect of a particular color, it makes sense to use only one color per session, for example in a sauna or infrared cabin, since each color targets different body systems. The session should last 15-20 minutes. Because the body takes 15 minutes to adjust to the effect of the color in question, it is also advisable to stick to one color per session.
The most common colors, their properties, and their effects on us:
Green: Green is known as the color of nature and symbolizes life and energy. It can have a calming and refreshing effect and enhance contentment and peace. Green light positively affects the lungs, bronchi, heart, upper back, and hormone system. It can help relieve stress, detoxify, promote muscle growth, and have antibacterial and aphrodisiac effects.
Red: The color red is associated with strength, joy of life, and vitality. The light can be stimulating and boost circulation and metabolism. It can have a positive effect on depression, digestive disorders, low blood pressure, bladder infections, impotence, and circulatory problems. Red light can also help regenerate the skin (anti-aging effect) and relieve muscle and bone pain.
Blue: Blue is the symbolic color of clarity, cold, and stillness, but it also represents water. Blue light is used to support people with sleep disorders and nervousness. It can slow the pulse and have a calming and pain-relieving effect. However, sessions lasting longer than 30 minutes may cause drowsiness. It is also not recommended to use colored light for colds or muscle tension.
Yellow: Yellow is the color of the sun. It is cheerful and uplifting and can have a positive effect on the digestive system, namely the stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Yellow light can support skin elasticity, stimulate the immune system, and improve concentration. For nervousness, it is recommended to use the light for only 5 - 10 minutes.
Violet: Violet represents creativity, inspiration, and the mind. The light can be beneficial during meditation and strengthen the lymphatic and immune systems. It may also support fluid balance.
Orange: Orange is the color of happiness and joy. It lifts the spirits and may have positive effects on depression, kidney problems, and muscle cramps. Especially early in the morning, orange light in an infrared cabin can help you start the day on a more positive note. Using this color can also encourage food intake.
Conclusion
Different colored lights in a sauna or infrared heat cabin sound promising and versatile. In addition to pleasant, relaxing warmth and the various effects of colors on body and mind, Bluetooth modules allow you to connect Bluetooth-enabled devices and play relaxing music. Herbs, essential oils, or fragrant infusion concentrates are also popular wellness additions.
With prospects like these, whether for private or public use, our worries about the winter blues should disappear into thin air, and waiting for summer will not only become more bearable but may even become enjoyable.