What is the Best Colour for Productivity?

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Have you ever wondered what colour to paint the office? You may be aware that colours can evoke specific feelings and encourage certain behaviours – so why not use the power of colour to your advantage?

One of the first people to investigate the link between mood and colour was Alexzander G. Schauss in 1979. He found that certain colours can reduce aggressive behaviour and can affect the endocrine system, which is responsible for the release and regulation of hormone levels in the body. Since then, the topic has sparked much interest. What is the best colour for productivity?

Blue — which has a calming effect — may help increase productivity if you work a demanding job in a fast-paced environment because blue does not disturb your focus and helps alleviate stress. The colour should be used with care because a cold blue may be considered sad and could hinder productivity.

Orange, when used sparingly, may help stimulate the mind and body because it is a mixture of the active red and emotional, vibrant yellow.

It is fair to say then, that judicious use of colour can influence our behaviour and have a significant impact on our lives.

In the rest of this piece, we’ll discover more about how colour affects the brain, identify the best colour for productivity and creativity, explore which will aid you in particular jobs, and find out which colours might help relieve stress. We’ll start by outlining what colour psychology is.

Let’s jump in.

What is Colour Psychology?

In 1666, Sir Isaac Newton discovered that white light could be split into the whole spectrum of visible colours when passed through a prism and that colours can be mixed, but some cancel each other out.

Colour psychology explores how colour affects human mood, emotions, and behaviour. Emotional and psychological connotations are assigned to colours.

More research needs to be done in this field, but some interesting finds have been made. How you feel about colour is often personal and rooted in your culture and experience. In most Western countries, for instance, white is a colour associated with purity and innocence, but is a symbol of mourning in several Eastern countries.

Next, let’s see what the study of colour psychology can tell us about how different colours influence us and which is best for productivity.

How Colour Affects Productivity

Different colours can affect people in several surprising ways. Here are some colours that can help boost your work performance and productivity.

Red

If you need to be physically active and alert in your line of work, the colour red can get your blood pumping and help you get a lot done. It is associated with passion and emotion and is sure to fire you up.

It also represents strength, courage, and excitement.

You can use this colour to help make you more productive only if you are not fazed by high-stress situations. Otherwise, red can be overwhelming and may hinder productivity.

If you want to create a calmer atmosphere, blue may be best…

Blue

The calming effect of blue can help boost your ability to focus, which contributes to increased productivity. However, you should pay attention to the shade because cool shades can engender feelings of sadness and depression, which could leave people feeling unmotivated and therefore less productive.

Therefore, be sure to check what certain shades and hues look like in both natural and artificial light before deciding on a colour.

Yellow

Yellow is often thought of as the colour of creativity. It is the colour of intellect and the mind and resonates with the logical left side of the brain. Yellow offers hope and happiness and can be uplifting. As it helps raise your mood, it might serve to make you more productive. Why not add a dash of it to places where people collaborate and see what happens?

It’s important not to introduce too much yellow in your workspace, as this can cause agitation and impatience, particularly if you’re already stressed. It can cause people to become overly critical and judgmental of others, which isn’t ideal for a productive, happy work culture.

Having a yellow background is also thought to help you retain information, so it may help you learn faster if the colour is not overused.

Green

Due to its close association with nature, green is seen as a calming colour. Research indicates that having plants in the office can improve creativity and productivity as well as make you happier because they are pleasing to the eye.

Green doesn’t make your eyes as tired, which helps you concentrate and can increase your attention span, so it is a wise choice if you’re working longer hours.

Green is an excellent colour to go for if you want a good balance between employee productivity and wellbeing.

Purple

Purple is not often a colour associated with workspaces, but if you aim to improve productivity and increase serenity, a light purple can relieve stress and unlock creativity.

Orange

Add a touch of orange to the colour scheme if you’re looking for a little extra inspiration. This colour works well in combination with blue.

Black

Black stands for authority, power, and control. If you don’t use too much of it, it can help make a space feel elegant and mysterious. Beware though, as excessive use of this colour can make a room feel sinister.

White

White is not considered the best colour for productivity and is best used in combination with other colours to offset its reputation for being uninspiring.

If you need to provide a clinical, clean environment or if you need to make a room feel more spacious, white is the way to go. It is also highly effective when used in concert with other colours.

Remember, there are 4 primary psychological colours; red, yellow, blue, and green. They have the most profound effect on our psychology. Red impacts our bodies more, blue has more of an impact on the mind, and green on the soul.

Consider the sort of environment you work in and add a dash of one of these colours to the office to see what effect it has on your productivity.

Which Primary Psychological Colour is Best for Your Job?

 Here is a quick list of what colours might best suit the type of job you have.

• Red – A smashing colour for tradespeople and those engaged in physically demanding work, such as fitness coaches, personal trainers, foresters, or those working on a farm. It can help you feel energised.
• Blue – Wonderful for office workers, who need to be able to focus to finish administrative tasks. Add a touch of orange if you want to keep things interesting.
• Yellow – This is a fantastic colour for entrepreneurs because it can help unlock your creativity if you’re stuck for ideas and can also help you feel optimistic about the path you’re following.
• Green – Use this colour to boost your productivity if you work best in a calm, tranquil environment.

It’s important to note that what works for you might not work for others, and you should also consider how bright a colour is before using it. Try to find a happy medium between too dull and too bright. Next, let’s find out what colours can help us manage our stress levels.

What Colour Reduces Stress?

Green, purple and blue can all help relieve anxiety and stress. Green is harmonious, while blue is highly peaceful and can impart a powerful sense of calm.

In many cultures, purple is used to symbolise wisdom, strength, and peace. Purple can induce a feeling of peace and tranquillity that can help you manage stress.

Yellow can also help you counteract stress.

Wrapping Up

Colours can have more of an impact on our behaviour and moods than we are aware of. Now you know how powerful colour truly is, you can use what you have learnt to help boost your productivity, unlock your creativity, and perhaps even make you happier too.

If you enjoyed reading about how colour can influence your mood and productivity, you might enjoy discovering how the simple act of handwriting can boost your productivity. Why not check it out? Thanks for reading!