Stress can sneak up on you. It doesn't take much to leave us feeling anxious and stressed-it could be as simple as feeling busy at work, or just feeling like you don't have enough time in the day to get everything done. The good news is that you can help to keep your stress levels low simply by using the right paint colors in your home.
Stress Reducing Colors to Calm You
You might not even notice it, but your body and your mind both have reactions to seeing colors. Brighter colors usually stimulate your brain and energize you, potentially even making you feel a little anxious. When painting rooms in your home, you want to think about how you want to feel when you're in the room. If relaxation is your goal, there are certain colors to consider.
Blue
Blue is a classic color that many turn to when decorating their homes. There's a good reason for that-blue is quite a soothing color and can help to calm a busy mind. It's an ideal color to use in a bedroom since it can actually help you sleep. As for which shades to stick to, think very soft, neutral tones since bright colors might be too stimulating.
Violet
Violet has a blue base, so it makes sense that this color would also be quite calming. A soft violet or lilac tone can bring balance and inner peace. When choosing a shade of violet, look for something soft without too much black in it.
Pink
You might not immediately think of pink as a calming color since it has so many bright and vibrant versions. However, a soft pastel pink can definitely bring an element of peace and calm to a space. When choosing the right shade of pink, think soft and light, since brighter shades with too much red could leave you feeling overstimulated.
Green
Green is quite soothing and comforting. It makes perfect sense since this is the color we associate with nature and the outdoors. Green is present in most of the spaces we visit when we want to feel relaxed; parks, our backyards, and the quiet forest. Pretty much any shade of green will leave you feeling calm, but the lighter shades will have you feeling more chilled out than brighter versions.
Gray
You might be a little surprised to see gray on this list since it's often seen as being a bit dull and boring. Some might think it's even a little depressing since we sometimes feel a bit lowon days where the sky is very cloudy. However, the right shade of gray can actually be very calming and relaxing. It's a perfect neutral color, which means it works well with pretty much any color or palette. It's a great option for any room in your home.
Tan
Tan is another one that might not immediately come to mind for people. It's a great neutral and works well as a base for highlighting other colors. There's a warmness to it that reminds us of candlelight, which is incredibly relaxing.
White
White is an interesting one since subtle differences in the shade can create very different reactions in people. If you go too dull, it might be a bit of a downer. If you go too bright, it can seem too clinical and actually stress you out a bit. The key to keeping things calming with white is to stick to warmer, creamy versions.
Yellow
A bright yellow is very stimulating and might have your mind running a mile a minute. However, a very light, soft pastel yellow feels very soothing. The right shade of yellow can leave you feeling like you're being bathed in warm rays of sunshine. It doesn't get much more relaxing than that!
Mixtures
You can create variations on calming colors by blending any of these gorgeous tones together. For example, blending violet and gray will create a soothing lilac gray hue, or a pink and tan can combine to create a softer warm pink.
Gray makes a great base for blending with any brighter color to create a cool, calming tone that won't seem too overwhelming or distracting. It works beautifully when blended with violets, greens, and blues.
What is the Most Soothing Color?
It won't surprise you to learn that it's blue! When we're feeling stressed out, we subconsciously look to blue. We might look up to the sky for a bit of daydreaming to calm down or take a trip to the beach to stare out into the water and enjoy some quiet time. In fact, it's said that looking at the color blue can produce chemicals in the body that promote calming.
If you don't want to go full-on blue in every room in your home, you'll still feel the calming effects by choosing colors that have elements of blue, such as a warmer gray, blue-green, or soft purple.
Want more inspiration? Read our other blog posts:
Easy Home Improvement Ideas to Increase Home Value | What is the Best Paint Color for Dark Rooms? |The Best Paint Colors For Selling A House| How To Use A Paint Color Wheel |10 Beautiful Bathroom Paint Colors For Your Next Renovation
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As an interior design enthusiast with a deep understanding of the psychological impact of colors on our well-being, I can confidently share insights into the concepts mentioned in the article.
1. Color Psychology and Stress Reduction: The article rightly emphasizes the psychological impact of colors on our emotions and stress levels. Colors have the power to stimulate or calm the mind, and choosing the right colors for your home can significantly contribute to stress reduction.
2. Blue: Blue is indeed a classic and soothing color. Its calming effect on the mind makes it ideal for bedrooms, where relaxation and sleep are priorities. Soft and neutral tones of blue are recommended to avoid overstimulation.
3. Violet: Violet, with its blue base, is also highlighted as a calming color. Soft violet or lilac tones are suggested for bringing balance and inner peace to a space.
4. Pink: Despite its vibrant versions, the article suggests that a soft pastel pink can bring an element of peace and calm to a space. The key is to choose soft and light shades to avoid overstimulation.
5. Green: Green is associated with nature and the outdoors, making it a soothing and comforting color. Any shade of green can induce a sense of calm, with lighter shades being more relaxing than brighter ones.
6. Gray: The surprising inclusion of gray is explained, highlighting that the right shade can be calming and relaxing. Gray is considered a perfect neutral color that complements other colors well, making it suitable for any room.
7. Tan: Tan is recognized as a great neutral color that works well as a base for highlighting other colors. Its warmness is likened to candlelight, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
8. White: White's nuanced impact is discussed, emphasizing the importance of choosing warmer, creamy versions to maintain a calming effect. The extremes of too dull or too bright may evoke different reactions.
9. Yellow: The stimulating nature of bright yellow is contrasted with the soothing quality of a very light, soft pastel yellow. The right shade of yellow is described as creating a warm and relaxing ambiance.
10. Color Mixtures: The article suggests creating variations on calming colors by blending different tones. Examples include blending violet and gray for a soothing lilac gray hue or combining pink and tan for a softer warm pink.
11. Most Soothing Color: Blue is highlighted as the most soothing color. The article explains that looking at the color blue can produce chemicals in the body that promote calming. It suggests incorporating elements of blue into other colors for a calming effect throughout the home.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the impact of colors on stress levels and offers practical advice on choosing stress-reducing colors for different rooms in the home.
