Blue Monday in our books is not about feeling blue. But about bringing in positive energy and taking action with good intention. It’s also about harnessing the good things. So we decided to find the best in blue instead and look at how it can help our mental wellbeing.
The colour blue helps our mood!
Blue is a calming colour, reflecting inner peace and healing. The colour itself increases wisdom, honesty and trust. It’s why so many banks and communication companies use it in their marketing!
Research suggests that people with intellectual work, which requires a high cognitive load are most productive in a blue environment. So if you’re thinking about redecorating your home office, you might want to consider adding a touch of blue to keep you nice and calm, but be sure to balance it out with some vibrant colours like yellow or orange (ahem, you mean like our logo?).
Love journalling? Get yourself a blue notebook! Need a productive and calm meeting environment? Take your meetings outdoors.
Did you know, that the colour blue is overwhelming chosen as the favourite colour of people around the world? There must be a reason for it!
Finding calm at the ocean
As far back as history goes, humans have attribute healing and transformational properties to water and not only for its blue like colour.
In ayurveda, the ancient Indian medicinal wisdom, and traditional Chinese medicine, the water element is crucial to balancing the body and creating physical harmony. These days we often go on holiday to the beach, or the lake for a sense of calm and clarity.
Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols believes that "we are beginning to learn that our brains are hardwired to react positively to water and that being near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, and even heal what's broken". Which he explores in Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do.
Many of us find joy from water sports like surfing, scuba diving, sailing or swimming. Yet, there’s more to it that just the exercise. Exercise can improve our physical and mental health on a number of different levels and is a great way to reduce stress and free our minds.
However studies show that you may get even more benefit from your exercise going for a run by the sea or a swim in the lake instead of going to your local gym.
Being surrounded by blue space helps us relax more, so being outside and by water can boost our mental wellbeing much more than being inside with a bunch of sweaty people!
So, remember to take regular breaks, go for a walk by the sea or by the river. Do something that you enjoy - which more often than not is an activity that you are good at - in order to reduce stress and be more present.
Those bright ideas in the shower
When we’re stuck of feeling down a long shower or soothing bath can do wonders for our sense of calm. But it also ignites ideas. This is because our brain switches modes.
We switch off our talkative conscious brain and allow for blue noise to stream through our subconscious. It’s almost like being on a holiday, for just a few minutes.
So if you find yourself stuck in front of your computer, desperately searching for a solution to a problem or a bright idea, hop in the shower, switch off and allow for that eureka moment to pop into your head as if like magic!
Water can benefit our relationships
OK, so water isn’t technically blue, but it’s often a shade of blue when we find it in nature. But it’s no mistake that when poets and writers over time have described moments in nature they refer to them in a state of awe.
This is because when we’re feeling calm and restful we are more likely to feel awe towards something. In many cases, this feeling awe ignites a feeling of connection to something bigger than yourself and a sense of the vastness of nature.
This changes the personal dialogue from ‘me’ to ‘we’. As you start getting that feeling of being connected to nature and the people around you. This triggers you to be more compassionate and a need to feel more connected, which in turn can benefit our relationships.
When we’re working remotely it’s important to feel connected with others, especially those who are like minded. Whether you are networking, working with other people, or meeting new friends at a seaside cafe, creating positive relationships is key to our mental wellbeing.