Impact of Visual Imagery of Coloured Rose Flower on Heart Rate Variability

Background: Viewing visual imagery of forest or nature is known for producing physiological and psychological relaxation of mind and body. Nature's surroundings are colourful and vary from the green of plants, blue of the water and red, orange, yellow and violet of flowers. These coloured imageries are also known to affect our emotions; and may lead to joy, sorrow, happiness, grief etc. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) indexes through vagal activity the autonomic responses and thereby affects our emotions and behavioural outcome. This study is planned to assess the colour effects of visual imagery of coloured rose flowers on HRV in males and females for red, blue, green, indigo, yellow, orange and violet colours.

Methodology: The Heart Rate Variability analysis was conducted on Power Lab AD Instruments, Australia, in thirty healthy individuals (15 males and 15 females) aged between 20 to 40 years

Results: We observed variation in autonomic response to different colours in males and females on Heart Rate Variability assessment. There was an augmentation of sympathetic drive on viewing of red, orange and violet colour roses in males and that of blue and violet colours in females. The visual imagery of blue, green, indigo and yellow coloured roses in males and red, green, indigo, yellow and orange coloured in females produced a parasympathetic influence on Heart Rate Variability.

Conclusion: Colours affects HRV and thereby can influence our emotional and behavioural responses in our daily life. Adapting to the coloured surroundings of choice at the workplace and at home may influence our work output and productivity and produce physical and mental well-being.