Every day, thousands of people experience anxiety . They are concerned about many things, including their relationships, health, finances, and families. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects approximately 6.8 million adults, but many more suffer in silence or experience anxiety intermittently throughout their lives.
To make a clinic comfortable for patients, it is critical to understand how their bodies and minds react to things like colors and patterns. Research has shown that colors have significant psychological effects. As you plan the interior of your medical facility, keep the following studies in mind: It can help you avoid negative triggers and choose colors that have a calming effect.
Avoid Using These Colors
Red: This fiery color represents passion, love, and rage. It heightens emotions and may make existing stress worse. Red can cause fear, apprehension, or a sense of insecurity, increasing the individual’s anxiety.
Orange: Like red, orange is a vibrant color that evokes emotion. Although it has practical applications in color therapy to stimulate appetite and happiness, it also has negative effects on anxious people because it reminds them of danger signs and construction work.
Purple: Not everyone reacts negatively to the color purple, but hospitals shouldn’t have the same connotations as funeral homes. Purple is frequently used to represent royalty, grandeur, wealth, dignity, and power. Anxious people might feel overwhelmed and unimportant in the presence of such a dominant color.
Bright yellow: Despite yellow’s generally positive connotations, this shade is quite overwhelming. When it comes to eye fatigue, yellow is at the top of the list because of how much light it reflects. It may also make people upset and angry.
Bright white: Because white is so stark, it is often seen as clinical, lifeless, and unwelcoming. All-white spaces come off as chilly and unwelcoming. Despite the fact that the color white is commonly used in hospitals and clinics to reassure patients of their cleanliness, it can actually make some patients more anxious.
Consider These Color Schemes
Dark Blue: According to research from the University of Sussex and the paper manufacturer G. F. Smith, dark blue is the world’s most calming color. Because of its soothing atmosphere, it is excellent for relieving stress. It fosters tranquility and peace.
Green: The color green, often called the “color of nature,” has been used for thousands of years to encourage health and happiness. The energizing and balancing effects of green help reduce stress. Using natural elements, such as hanging ferns or succulents in pots, is a great way to incorporate this color into your design while also reaping the benefits of fresh air.
Gray: Even though gray is often thought of as boring, studies have shown that it makes people feel better. Having it around creates a soothing atmosphere. When paired with blue or white, it chases away anxious thoughts.
Soft Pink: According to Feng Shui, the color pink has a calming effect on different energies. Its serenity promotes harmony, gentleness, and femininity. In fact, prisons sometimes paint their walls “drunk-tank pink” in an effort to reduce tension among inmates. To avoid making our patients feel claustrophobic, we’ll be using this shade to its full potential.
Violet: Despite the fact that deep purples can be irritating, violet represents balance, wisdom, and inner peace. As such, it can be used to help one relax and enter a meditative state. Research shows that when exposed to ultraviolet light, its strength increases by a factor of ten.
Simple Is Best
In stressful situations, it can be helpful to look at or wear colors that evoke positive emotions. It’s important to use complementary colors if you’re going to use more than one. Discord can be even more damaging to an anxious mind. Don’t forget that the colors and decorations you pick send a message to anyone who sees them. Follow my suggestions to create an environment that everyone who visits will enjoy being in.