How to Increase your Productivity & Creativity Fast – using the Science of Color and Light

 

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This article is a continuation of Part One last week. The Science of How Color, Light, Sunshine & Art can Reverse Aging & Heal You [VIDEO]

Last week I talked about how LOOKING at Certain Colors as well as GAZING at certain types of Art can bring about healing effects.

This week, I’m going more into the specifics of Sunlight Therapy and Light Therapy and how SHINING light directly on your body can also heal your brain and body and what some of those applications are.

I’m focusing on Sunlight as well as a couple of the colors found within sunlight that have been heavily researched for their various benefits: Red light (as well as near Infrared) and Blue Light.

 

As always, feel free to leave your comments or questions below. And please share this post with anyone you feel might benefit. Thanks!

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First some basics about Color and Light and how Color Therapy and Light Therapy are essentially 2 sides of the same coin.

Color and Light are the Same thing – You can’t have color without light, and you can’t have light without color.

IN simple terms: If you’re in a dark or dimly lit room, you can’t see any colors except shades of grey. When the light starts to fade, so do the colors in your surroundings.

Conversely, if you’re standing under an incandescent light or under the Sun, you’re getting colored light rays from them. All light sources, whether artificial or natural, contain colored rays within them.

Whether you’re LOOKING at a RED painting (this would typically be classified as color therapy and/or art therapy) or SHINING RED light on your skin (this would be classified as Light Therapy), you’re receiving the healing energy of RED light.

Leanne Venier’s RED Healing Colors Painting, “Into the Depths” available as a FREE HEALING COLORS SCREENSAVER

In the first case, you’re getting healing RED light reflected into your eyes and onto your body from the RED light reflected by the painting. In the second case, you’re taking RED light itself and shining it on your skin or into your eyes.

In both of the above cases, you benefit from the healing RED rays of Colored Light.

 

Light Therapy uses different Wavelengths of Light shone on the Skin or Towards the Eyes to Heal

There have been literally thousands of research studies about the healing effects of color and colored light, and the majority so far, have been on Red and Blue wavelengths of Light.

Red Light Therapy

The Science of Light Therapy began to gain broader recognition in 2001, when NASA first discovered  that RED and NEAR INFRARED (Near IR) light have very strong cellular regenerating effects. (Whelan, 2001)

These longer Red and Near IR wavelengths have been shown to stimulate mitochondrial function in the cells (the power houses of the cells)*.

Red and Near IR wavelengths:

• accelerate healing of surface wounds and mouth ulcers,
• heal broken bones and injured muscle tissue,
• stimulate new collagen growth (for wrinkle-reversal and anti-aging treatments),
• treat arthritis and injured joints
• treat allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion and inflammation due to allergies),
• stimulate stem cell growth and nerve regeneration
• treat certain types of cancer in hospitals * (Watch the video for detail)
• Near Infrared is also being studied for its effect on reversing the symptoms of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline (Watch the video for detail)

* In a future post I’m going to go into much greater detail about how mitochondrial dysfunction is directly connected with cancer cell proliferation

Watch this short video to learn more about Red Light and Near Infrared Therapy for Anti-aging and Healing:

Click HERE to watch the full video.

Some of this research about RED Light would come as no surprise to medics during WWII.

They discovered that soldiers with wounds healed much more quickly with far fewer infections and amputations when placed in the sun with their wounds exposed instead of being bandaged-up indoors.

Nor would it come as a surprise to the Swiss heliotherapy (sun therapy) clinics that treated children with tuberculosis of the bones in the early 1900’s– their only treatment being sunbathing every day.

Niels Finsen won the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1903 for his research using RED light to treat Lupus Vulgaris and Small Pox, prompted by his belief that the sun had healing rays that people didn’t yet understand.

Blue Light Therapy

Just like with Red Wavelengths of Light, other Colors of Light also have healing properties.  Blue Light is another one that has been heavily researched.

In both cases, the Science is now supporting what has been known in ancient healing traditions for thousands of years.

The healing benefits of the other wavelengths of colored light are gradually being explored and discovered by Science. (More on the Healing Benefits of these other colors in an upcoming Post)

Different wavelengths of BLUE light when shone on the skin, are effectively used for:

• treating jaundice (neonatal and other)
• killing acne bacteria,
• killing MRSA bacteria, and
• increasing nitric oxide production in the skin to increase local blood flow and reduce pain.

When Shone towards the eyes, Blue light is used to treat:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression caused by lack of sunlight or blue light.
• other types of Depression
• insomnia
• Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS)
• PMS
• ADHD

Sunlight Therapy (aka Heliotherapy):

Sunlight contains ALL the Healing Colors of Light including those mentioned above

 

Sunlight contains Visible RED, Orange, Yellow, Green, BLUE, Indigo & Violet Light, plus Invisible Infrared and UV 

 

  

So Why are so many of us NOT taking advantage of this FREE Healing Source?

We all know that getting out under the sun just feels good.

Most of us have had the direct experience of craving sunshine, especially during the cloudier winter months.

So why is it that so many people are now avoiding the sun to their own detriment?

Well, the myths about the cancer-causing effects of sunshine have abounded for decades even though the science over the past several years has shown that these myths are completely untrue.

Did you know, that if you slather on sunscreen, you are blocking out most of the Sun’s therapeutic benefits?

Numerous research studies have shown that getting regular sunshine on your body literally:

• makes you live longer,
• keeps you from getting cancer,
• prevents heart disease and almost every other type of illness….

Because of its direct effect on Circadian Rhythms, Melatonin and Serotonin levels, Sunlight exposure has been scientifically proven to effectively treat:

• Depression,
• Anxiety
• Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS),
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD),
• Insomnia and More …

It’s time to Reverse the Brain–washing and Correct the Myths about Sunlight …

We’ve been conditioned to believe incorrect and inaccurate reports that continue to be spread by the media and the medical and pharmaceutical industry for the past several decades … and guess what? None of that hype is based on scientific research. It all started with someone making a lot of incorrect assumptions.

BUT …

There HAVE been countless recent scientific studies confirming the cancer- and disease-preventing benefits of sunshine.

It’s not only OK to get Sunshine on a regular basis, it’s actually GOOD for you

I could easily fill up this blog post with links and quotes from numerous studies, all saying the same thing:

We NEED Sunlight for Optimal Physical, Emotional and Mental Health.

Here are just a couple of the many recent studies:

A 2014 20-year study of 30,000 Swedish women, “Avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor for all-cause mortality”, has shown that women who never sunbathe are twice as likely to die from any cause than those who sunbathe every day during summer.

These researchers claim that all the advice telling people to stay out of the sun unless wearing sunscreen may actually be harming them.

A 2006 UCSD study “The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer prevention” states, “The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, combined with the discovery of increased risks of certain types of cancer in those who are deficient, suggest that vitamin D deficiency may account for several thousand premature deaths from colon, breast, ovarian and prostate cancer annually.”

We Need Vitamin D from UVB – We’ve all heard this one by now

Vitamin D is a hormone (not a Vitamin) vital to almost every cellular process in the human body. It’s naturally created in our bodies through exposure to UVB, especially during the summer months when UVB is strongest.

Numerous studies have shown that Vitamin D is a very strong cancer inhibitor and it literally STOPS the growth of pre-cancerous and cancer cells in their tracks when our levels are adequate.

Yet, more than 50% of the world population is deficient. Our bodies store Vitamin D in the summer months when we get regular sun exposure and we use those reserves throughout the winter months when UVB is low and we can’t make new Vitamin D from sunshine.

‘Regular exposure’ means getting sunshine several times per week on bare skin with NO sunscreen, 15-60 minutes per day depending on your skin tone. (Note: use an all-natural, non-toxic mineral sunscreen only on the more sensitive skin of the face or wear a cap).

We also need Melatonin

Most people have heard how melatonin helps us sleep, but its benefits are far more reaching than that. And nowadays, most people are deficient in it.

Melatonin is a powerful hormone, anti-oxidant and cancer inhibitor and your levels increase when you get properly timed BLUE Light exposure from sunlight.

Not only does proper sleep improve your brain function, it dramatically helps boost your Productivity.

If only one of the colors, like BLUE light, can have such profound effects on your body’s health and productivity, imagine what all the others can do.

Even the UVA found in Sunlight has proven benefits

A 2014 study, “UVA-induced release of nitric oxide from skin may have unexpected health benefits” shows that “UVA decreases blood pressure and increases blood flow and heart rate in humans, which is beneficial to the cardiovascular system”, much like the effects of Viagra.

We already know how important RED light and Blue Light are

According to numerous ancient healing traditions, the other colors have equally profound healing effects that Science has barely begun to explore.

Why wait until the scientists catch up when you can already get all of the Healing Colors every time you go out under sunshine?

And it’s FREE! 🙂

So what’s the Truth about Sunshine?

Sunshine is GOOD for us!

The beneficial, healing rays of Sunlight include:

• all of the Sun’s Visible Colored Rays: including the well-researched Red and Blue wavelengths, as well as all of the other Colors whose benefits are only beginning to be discovered by Science.
• all of the Invisible Rays:  UVA, UVB and Infrared (including Near IR). All of these are healing and our bodies NEED them to thrive. 

Yes, sunburns ARE bad for us and can cause skin cancer when our Vitamin D and Melatonin levels are low.

However, regular (chronic) sun exposure has been scientifically proven to actually prevent and protect us from almost every type of cancer (including melanoma), heart disease, and many other illnesses. Chronic sun exposure means at least 4-5 times per week WITHOUT sunscreen and while being careful not to get sunburned,

The best way to get safe sun exposure?

Expose 2/3 or more of your skin and stay under the sun just until your skin starts to turn slight pink. Use a finger to press on your skin to see when you’re turning pink. Then you’re done for that day. At that point, cover up, get under the shade, or put on an all-natural, non-nano particle, mineral-based sunscreen … but only AFTER you’ve had your “daily sun vitamins”.

Most Sunscreens are Highly Toxic and Carcinogenic

Many research studies have now shown that the vast majority of sunscreens on the market become carcinogenic when exposed to sunlight, so you’ll want to avoid all of those and use the type recommended in the paragraph above.

People who Work Outdoors Have Decreased Risk of Melanoma

As written in The Lancet: “Paradoxically, outdoor workers have a decreased risk of melanoma compared with indoor workers, suggesting that chronic sunlight exposure can have a protective effect.”

Flow State Benefits of Sunlight

As if there weren’t enough benefits from Sunshine, did you know that spending time in Sunlight and in nature is also a known catalyst for triggering Flow State (aka The Zone)?

Flow State is an optimal state of consciousness where you feel and perform your best. Your Creativity flourishes and your productivity skyrockets.

In fact, when you operate in Flow State you get 500% more work done!

If you’d like to know more about using triggering Flow State using Sunlight and other means, read my

8 Steps for Tapping into Flow State including #6 – Get Regular Sunshine

More on this in an upcoming Blog Post!

 

So, with all the proven benefits of Sunlight including its Healing Colors, UVA, UVB and Infrared:

“Have you had your Sunlight Supplement and Color Vitamins today?” 🙂

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About the Author

Leanne Venier, BSME, CP AOBTA, is an international award-winning artist, engineer and expert in the science of color & light and Flow States who regularly lectures at major medical centers, SXSW Interactive, MENSA & elsewhere. Leanne loves geeking out, reading thousands of medical and scientific research studies. She connects the dots between research that’s happening all over the world and then shares her findings to help others. She has a knack for explaining the research in ways that are easy for everyone to understand. She combines her art, mechanical engineering background and acupuncture and holistic healing training, to teach medical doctors and lay people around the globe about the latest scientific research for Optimizing Health, Creativity and Productivity using Color, Light, Art and Flow State.

Leanne has been interviewed on NBC-TV, nationally syndicated radio and in numerous national and international health magazines.

She teaches both executives and laypeople how to use Color to easily tap into Flow State (the Zone) for 500% increased productivity, enhanced creativity & optimal health in her Live and Interactive Color and Creative Flow Online Training Program. She’s available for Speaking Engagements, Flow Workshops & Training Programs and Business & Productivity Coaching using Flow State. More information on her website: CatalyticColor.com