Holi: Mental Health Benefits Of Playing Holi

A day filled with colour and joy is just around the corner - holi will be celebrated across India on 8 March. The country is gearing up to celebrate this vibrant and extravagant festival with all the traditional fervour it is known for.

In addition to its positive impacts on your physical health, Holi also has a positive impact on your mental health.

According to psychologists, coming together with your family on Holi leads to a boost in your mental health. Wondering how Holi can benefit your mental health?

Here is what you need to know.

Mental Health Benefits Of Playing Holi

1. Reduces stress levels

Playing Holi with your family and friends can help you relax and forget about the stress of everyday life. This is because playing Holi gives you an opportunity to connect with your loved ones, be surrounded by positive energy, and appreciate the moment.

It also helps to distract you from the stress of everyday life and makes you appreciate the little things in life [1].

2. Improves mood

There is something about the colours and the vibe of the festival that can brighten up your mood. The combination of colours, music, and the communal atmosphere of a festival stimulates the release of endorphins, hormones that are associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness.

This helps to create a sense of euphoria and can even have an antidepressant effect [2].

3. Boosts happiness

The main reason why Holi is a happy occasion is the fact that it produces happy hormones that make you feel better as you play with colours, consume sweets, and eat a delicious meal together.

As well, Holi offers an excellent opportunity for socialising with your loved ones. In this case, you may feel happier and more relaxed as a result of a rush of endorphins [3].

4. Keeps you active

Holi celebrations involve throwing colours at one another and dancing to festive music with family and friends - this activity keeps you active and keeps you feeling happy.

The act of participating in Holi helps you bond with others, which in turn gives your mind a boost of energy. Being active on Holi even counteracts the effects of excessive sweet consumption [4].

What Is Colour Therapy? Does Holi Fall Under Colour Therapy?

Holi is known for its vibrant colours, which have a therapeutic impact on our minds and moods. These colours are known to evoke various emotions, such as energy and productivity.

In colour therapy, also known as chromotherapy, light and colour are used to treat a variety of psychological and physical conditions. This form of therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian times. For therapeutic purposes, they utilised sun-filled rooms with coloured glasses [5].

Although colour therapy may be performed either through sight, that is, viewing a particular colour and hoping that it elicits the desired response in your body, or by directly reflecting certain colours on specific parts of your body - holi, in essence, involves immersing ourselves in colours - it shares some similarities in the way colours are used.

On A Final Note...

Have a safe and happy holi everyone!