Is Blue Truly the Most Relaxing Color? Science Meets Everyday Life

Calm blue lake with two wooden piers

When people think of relaxing colors, blue is usually the first color that comes to mind. It’s a color of loyalty, security, and trust that can evoke calmness, protection, and relaxation.

Many feel relaxed around blue, but is it really the most calming color? And if so, what gives it its soothing effects?

Why Do People Find Blue Relaxing?

Blue is a low-energy color. It’s easy to look at and doesn’t feel overwhelming. Because of this, blue provides a calming atmosphere that can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, making it easier for your body and mind to relax. Many people associate it with serenity because it’s the color of water and the sky.

Blue is also a favorite color all over the world. When surveyed about what color people like the most, blue is the most popular choice. The calmness that surrounds blue is likely a big reason for this. Many individuals find blue pleasant to have around, and that might make them feel relaxed near it.

Light Blue vs. Dark Blue

Man looking at foggy blue layers of mountains

Both light blue and dark blue can provide relaxation, but the two types of blue have different effects. Light blue is usually softer, promoting health, healing, and serenity, while dark blue is a more powerful color, promoting knowledge, professionalism, and integrity. Both have positive associations and can be calming, but they each thrive in different contexts.

Light blues are serene and can make you feel both relaxed and positive. However, most people think that dark blues are more relaxing, especially if you’re trying to sleep. Although dark blues are viewed as powerful, they’re not as bright as light blues, making it easier to relax and sleep in their presence.

Every shade and tint of blue has slightly different meanings. Royal blue, for example, could indicate tranquility and empathy, while teal could represent renewal and practicality. Blue has many meanings, but all types of blue are relaxing in some way.

Is Blue Actually the Most Calming Color in the World?

Illustration of blue glowing brain

It’s no secret that blue provides relaxation to a lot of people, but does scientific research confirm that it’s the most relaxing of all the colors? Many studies point to yes.

One study from the University of Sussex surveyed 26,596 people from over 100 different countries. Each person was asked to list their favorite colors and a word they associated with them. The results indicated that dark navy blue was the color most commonly linked to “calm” and “relaxation.”

The findings from this study confirmed what we assume about colors. Bright, high-saturated colors are linked to excitement and stimulation. Red, in particular, is a color that people commonly associate with energy, which makes sense given its stark contrast to blue, known for its calmness.

Color personality quiz animation

Colors that relate to nature, especially those that remind us of water, consistently appear as the most tranquil in studies. Throughout history, people have used blue for decorating bathrooms and bedrooms to give it a spa-like feel. So, it’s clear that the average person finds comfort in the color blue, but is there further evidence to prove its calming properties?

Studies Focusing On Blue’s Color Psychology

Closeup of woman examining blue light

Since many people perceive blue as a relaxing color, much research has been done to support this conclusion further. A Journal of Business Research study found that people feel more comfortable inside stores with a blue interior. The study indicated that people spent more time browsing and shopping in stores with blue interiors than ones with orange interiors (a much higher-energy color).

Studies have found that blue lights can help people calm down as well. In Glasgow, Scotland (2000) and Nara, Japan (2005), there was a significant decrease in crimes after blue streetlights were installed. In Japan, there were also fewer suicides on train tracks after blue lights were installed at train stations. It’s unclear if these results are because of blue’s calmness or other factors, but there’s a good chance color psychology plays a role.

Since people commonly associate blue with relaxation, it’s frequently used in places where people benefit from feeling calm. One example is the blue light call boxes across college campuses. They’re meant to improve security for college students and help them feel safer and more relaxed, especially at night.

Why Do People Feel This Way About Blue?

Research suggests that exposure to the color blue can lower blood pressure and reduce stress by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow, which may benefit the cardiovascular system. According to a study, blue light stimulates the release of nitric oxide in the skin, leading to these effects.

On the surface, people feel relaxed around blue because it’s a low-energy color that’s easy on the eyes. However, blue also positively affects your physical and mental well-being without you even realizing it, which adds to its incredible soothing properties.

Beyond Relaxation: Blue’s Other Impacts

Sad woman walking along blue beach

Like all colors, blue has a variety of meanings. It symbolizes trust, security, and responsibility. It can help people feel calm, protected, relaxed, and supported. Blue can also signify peace, confidence, honesty, and reliability, making it a symbol of many positive qualities.

Yet, it’s also a sign of sadness. For some people, being exposed to too much blue can make them feel depressed rather than relaxed. Blue is such a common color of sadness that people use the term “feeling blue” to convey when someone is upset. Some other negative associations could be being passive and predictable.

Despite its wide range of meanings, most people associate blue with either calmness or sadness. Because those two effects are very different, context and personal experiences usually impact people’s perceptions.

Why Does Blue Represent Sadness?

When we see a blue painting or a movie scene with blue lighting, we know blue represents sadness. Yet, how can a color that calms us also upset us? There are lots of potential reasons. For many people, it’s simply because that’s what blue is known for in their culture. Other people associate certain blue items with sadness, such as rain on a gloomy day or tears.

Blue first became a symbol of sadness in the 1600s. Back then, there were stories of “blue devils” who caused depression. These stories led to many other associations between blue and sadness, such as music known as “the blues,” which often conveyed feelings of melancholy. Over time, people grew to see blue as something sad, even though it more commonly evokes relaxation and peacefulness.

Find Your Calm With the Soothing Power of Blue

Blue and white room with yellow accents

If you feel relaxed around blue, you can use its symbolism to your advantage. The best way to do this is to incorporate blue into areas of your home that you want to feel comfortable in. This will likely include the bedroom, living room, bathroom, and office. However, too much blue could lead to sad feelings, so it’s good to have a balance.

While painting an entire room blue might feel soothing for some people, it often has the best effect when used as a peaceful accent color. Throw pillows, bed sheets, wall hangings, curtains, towels, and rugs are just a few accent items that look great in all types of blue. They can make a space feel more relaxing without reducing its joy and energy.

When decorating with blue, consider what colors complement it best. Other cool colors, such as green and purple, can add to the room’s relaxation and look. Neutral colors go well with all types of blue, so they can split up the blue accents and make the space appealing. If you want more contrast in a room, pair blue with warm colors like yellow or pink to balance playfulness and calmness.

Colors Inspired by Nature’s Serenity

Looking up at green treetops

Research shows that blue is easily the most relaxing color. Most people feel calm in its presence, and it has proven benefits. Even so, it’s not the only relaxing color out there. Of course, every person reacts to colors differently, but in general, other cool colors and earth tones are usually considered calming.

Cool colors consist of blues, greens, and purples, including blue-green shades like turquoise and teal. They usually have less energy and vibrancy than warm colors (reds, oranges, and yellows), making them easier on the eyes and soothing. Earth tones are colors that appear naturally in the environment, such as greens, browns, and grays. They’re often calming because people associate them with the beauty and tranquility of nature.

One calm color that stands out from the rest is light pink. Research indicates that pale pink colors can calm people and reduce aggression. In the late 1970s, prison cells specifically used Drunk-Tank Pink (also known as Baker-Miller Pink) on the walls to calm prisoners. However, further research determined that these calming effects only lasted for a half hour rather than having long-term calming properties like the color blue.

Overall, darker, less saturated colors are more likely to evoke calm feelings because they’re visually soft and less stimulating. However, personal preferences and context are important, as any color can feel relaxing in the right setting.

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