The Importance of Color in a Clinic and the Impact it Has on Patient Anxiety
Buying or building a new clinic or even renovating an old clinic requires consideration for the branding, the design, and the comfortability, butone of the most importantpartsisyet still ahead. What am I talking about? The colors you choose for your clinic, of course!
Patient care is your number one priority and should betaken into accountwhen considering thecolorsyou bring to the interior of your clinic. It may not seem like a daunting task, but color has a psychological impact and can become a deciding factor for any new patient visiting your clinic for the first time.
As a student of psychology, I’ve always been fascinated by how the mind works and how it can be tricked, calmed, or even put off by a certain color.Colors have different meanings and can set off different negative and positive emotions, even different smellsandsoundsassociated with memories.
The wrong colorscan provoke anxiety in anyone exposed, including patients, yourself, and your team.But the right colors can foster an atmosphere of calm and caring and stress-free.In this post, we are going to look atcolors from a psychological perspective—how certain colors affect us mentally,what colors to avoid, whatcolorsto consider, and whatcolorshave the ability toreduce stress and anxietythis 2021.
What is anxiety?
Anxietyisfeelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure and accelerated heart rate.It can be caused by fear, panic, or even stress. Those with an anxiety disorder(like me)deal with these emotions on a recurring basisin the form of attacks. I and other people likeme arevery sensitive to anything anxiety-inducing, includingcolors.
The reason for this is psychology. Colors aren’t just colors – they’re sounds, smells, memories, whether universal or individual.
Withthis in mind, it’s important to understand and consider the colors you choose for your clinic, including the type of baggage they carryand how they mightreduce or ease theanxietyforyour patients.
Avoid anxiety-inducing colors
Patient care starts long before your patient enters the office, but once they do step inside, the choice of color and design determines whether they feel calm and comfortable enough to stay.
Avoiding colors that can induce anxiety is a good start.
Stay away from bright, bold,and intense colors. Colors like redandorangeincrease anxiety and stress, sometimes even fear. Red and orange are associated with an emergency that can elicit images of emergency vehicles with their lights and sirens on.These colors are known to “stimulateour brains which is what you want to avoid when a patient’s mind may already be overactive or overwhelmed.”
Another color to consider using very little of is white. Whiteis associated with a more clinical feel, and given the current circ*mstances,a clinical feel elicits negative emotions, including stress and anxiety.Our brainsaretricky, making something as simple as a color evoke certain smells or sounds. Much the same as red and orange screaming ‘emergency!’, white is associated with images and smells of hospital rooms. Since smells are the fastest way to our memories, we can becomeanxious, stressed, and fearful simplydue to a bad experience.
ConsiderColors that amplify positivity
Use colors to make the patients who come to your office comfortable with notes of positivity to calmtheirthoughts and easetheirstress and anxiety.
Green, gray, and blue can be used to calmand soothe. Green is associated with nature, growth, and healing while blue is associated withan open sky and wide rejuvenating ocean.A splash of yellow alsoradiates positivity, light, and hope.
Follow Your Instincts
Psychology is not limited to your patients.So,it is important that as you ruminate on your decision, you follow your instincts. Ask yourself what colors calm you? Check out images online of different clinic design ideas and judge how the colors used make you feel.
Consider 2021
The inside look is no longer in for 2021. The year 2020 was not normal and a lot of bad happened, including the dreaded Coronavirus.With this comes the reality that considering 2021 as a factor in your decision is important.
Because of COVID, a lot of us were trapped inside our homes (some still are), forced to watch as the Spring and Summer drifted by our windows. Outside is now a luxury that many of us have missed during the lockdown.This is why colors such as gray and yellow arepopular and“the great contrast highlights what people are looking for most in 2021,colorand natural tones.” Gray is a neutral shade and yellow is a sign of hopefor the future.
As you look ahead, think about this:colors and tones that imply we’re all stuck inside are no longer the popular options.In fact, they would probably induce more anxiety in your patients.
Other colors to consider are those that remind patients and even you and your staff ofnot being locked down. Consider earthy tones like brown, beige, and green. These color choices have surged in popularity during the pandemic.
And if you’ve already chosen your color-palette, there are other inventive ways to add more color, such as bringing in plants and flowers, or artwork depicting the outdoors.
I am not a designer, this is purely psychological
All these suggestions and ideas are coming from a psychological standpoint only. The anxiety of 2020 and 2021 is high in all of us, and asyou talk to others, read more blogs, and consider your own ideas based on your instincts, just remember that each color comes with its own baggage and must be considered carefully.
Choose colors that reduce anxiety and stress, not just for your patients but for you and everyone else on your team.
Because I’m not a designer,I went looking around for more informed opinionsand insightin order to write this post. Check out the resources I used below and check out their resources, too.
Resources
https://www.dentifit.com.au/what-is-the-best-colour-palette-for-my-clinic/
https://www.dentifit.com.au/jump-onboard-design-trends-sure-to-take-off-in-2021/
https://www.elitepaintingca.com/calming-hues-for-your-dental-practice
As a student of psychology with a keen interest in the interplay between color and mental well-being, I find the topic of the impact of clinic colors on patient anxiety particularly intriguing. My understanding of psychology allows me to delve into the intricate details of how colors can influence human emotions, thoughts, and even physiological responses. Let's explore the concepts touched upon in the article:
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Psychological Impact of Colors: The article rightly emphasizes the psychological impact of colors. Colors are not just visual stimuli; they can evoke sounds, smells, and memories. Understanding this aspect is crucial when choosing colors for a clinic, as it can significantly affect the emotional state of patients.
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Anxiety and its Psychological Underpinnings: The article provides a concise yet informative definition of anxiety. It connects anxiety to feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes, highlighting its psychological and physiological dimensions. Moreover, it mentions that individuals with anxiety disorders, like the author, are particularly sensitive to anxiety-inducing stimuli, including colors.
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Avoiding Anxiety-Inducing Colors: The article recommends steering clear of bright, bold, and intense colors such as red and orange, as they can increase anxiety and stress. The rationale behind this advice is grounded in the idea that certain colors can stimulate the brain, which may be counterproductive in a healthcare setting where patients' minds are already overactive or overwhelmed.
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Negative Associations with White: White is suggested to be used sparingly due to its association with a clinical feel. The article notes that in the current circ*mstances, a clinical feel may elicit negative emotions, including stress and anxiety. It highlights the role of white in triggering memories and emotions related to hospital rooms.
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Colors that Reduce Stress and Anxiety: The article introduces the concept of using colors to create a calming and positive atmosphere. Colors such as green, gray, blue, and a splash of yellow are recommended for their associations with nature, growth, healing, open skies, and hope, respectively. This aligns with the psychological strategy of using colors to positively influence patients' emotions.
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Considering the Impact of 2020 and 2021: The article acknowledges the extraordinary circ*mstances of 2020 and 2021, particularly the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It suggests that colors like gray and yellow are popular due to their contrast and the hope they signify. Additionally, it advises against color choices that imply confinement, emphasizing the importance of considering the broader context when selecting clinic colors.
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Earth Tones and Natural Elements: The article recommends considering earthy tones like brown, beige, and green, which have gained popularity during the pandemic. It suggests that these colors evoke a sense of not being locked down. This recommendation aligns with the idea of using colors to counteract the prevailing anxieties of the time.
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Role of Instincts in Decision-Making: The article encourages decision-makers to follow their instincts when choosing clinic colors. This aligns with the understanding that individual preferences and reactions to colors can vary, emphasizing a personalized approach to color selection.
In conclusion, the article effectively integrates psychological principles into practical advice for choosing clinic colors that promote a calming and positive environment, taking into account both individual and societal factors.
