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

Viewing of visual imagery of forest or nature is known for producing physiological and psychological relaxation of mind and body. Nature surroundings are colourful and vary from green of plants, blue of water and red, orange, yellow and violet of flowers. These coloured imageries also known to affect our emotion; 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.

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.

We observed variation in autonomic response to different colours in males and females on Heart Rate Variability assessment. There was 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.

Colours affects HRV and thereby can influence our emotional and behavioural responses in our daily life. Adapting to coloured surrounding of choice at workplace and at home may influence our work output and productivity as well produce physical and mental wellbeing.