^Blue is a calming colour that is often associated with feelings of peace and tranquillity. This is why many people find that being around blue spaces, such as a clear blue sky or a deep blue ocean, can make them feel better. 

Spending time in blue spaces with a lot of blue in the colour scheme – can positively affect our mental health and well-being. The colour blue has long been associated with calmness and serenity, and research has shown that being in blue spaces can help us feel more relaxed and at peace. In this article, we will examine how blue spaces can provide us with a sense of well-being and improve our mood.

Why Is Blue So Special?

There are a few reasons why blue spaces can positively affect our mood and well-being. For one, the colour blue has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind. In fact, many people associate the colour blue with feelings of peace and tranquility. This is because blue is often associated with the sky and the ocean, which are both known for their calming effects.

One study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology found that people who spent time in a room with blue walls reported feeling more relaxed and less stressed than those who were in a room with white walls. The researchers also found that the blue room was more effective at lowering blood pressure and heart rate than the white room.

Provide Anxiety Relief

One of the reasons why blue spaces can improve our mood is that they can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Blue has been shown to have a calming effect on the mind and body and can help lower heart rate and blood pressure. This is why many hospitals and healthcare facilities use blue as a calming colour in their design. So being around blue spaces can help reduce stress and anxiety and make us feel more relaxed and at peace.

A Greater Focus and Concentration

Blue spaces can also improve our mood by enabling us to focus and concentrate. The colour blue has been shown to affect our cognitive abilities positively and can help improve our focus and concentration. This is why many schools and offices use blue in their design, as it can help improve productivity and focus. In addition, being around blue spaces can help improve our cognitive abilities, making us feel more alert and focused.

Benefits Beyond Mental Health

In addition to the psychological benefits of blue spaces, they can also have physical health benefits. For example, being around blue spaces can help to improve our immune system, as the colour blue has been shown to have antimicrobial properties. This means it can help kill bacteria and other germs that can cause illness. So being around blue spaces helps protect our health and keep us feeling our best.

"Blue is the only color which maintains its own character in all its tones ... it will always stay blue." - Raoul Dufy

Incorporating More Blue Spaces

Spend More Time Outside

One way to incorporate more blue spaces into our lives is to spend more time outdoors. The sky and the ocean are two examples of naturally occurring blue spaces that can provide us with many of the benefits discussed above. 

More Beach or Lake Visits

Visit the beach or a lake more often. One of the easiest ways to incorporate more blue spaces into our lives is to visit bodies of water regularly. The sound of waves crashing against the shore or a gentle stream can have a calming effect on our minds and help reduce stress and anxiety. Plus, the fresh air and sunlight can boost our mood and overall health.

Water Sports

Bring nature indoors. If you need easy access to a body of water, you can still incorporate blue spaces into your daily life by bringing nature indoors. This can be as simple as placing a fish tank in your home or office or adding a few plants to your space. The presence of water and greenery can help create a calming and peaceful atmosphere.

Closing Thoughts

As a corporate wellness company, we are always looking for ways to improve our client's employees' mental and physical well-being. One strategy that we have found to be particularly effective is the incorporation of blue spaces into the work environment.

Studies have shown that blue hues can have a calming and soothing effect on people, reducing stress and improving overall feelings of well-being. This can be especially beneficial in a corporate setting, where employees are often pressured to meet deadlines and perform at their best. Have you tried incorporating blue into your workplace? We would like to hear about your experience if you have one.

^Imagine someone telling you that women will have to wait until 2158 to achieve true gender equality.

That’s five generations from now.

And yet, that’s the hard truth according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.

At the current pace, economic opportunities, leadership representation, and societal equity are crawling forward—too slowly to make a tangible difference for women today.

The question isn’t whether change will happen. It’s how fast we can make it happen.

And that’s exactly why International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is different.

The theme this year? "Accelerate Action"—a call to move beyond conversations and into concrete, measurable impact.

At Power8, we’re not just celebrating women. We’re creating experiences that drive real change, real fast.

What Does Accelerating Change Look Like?

It’s easy to talk about empowerment, but real impact happens when women get access to tools, resources, and spaces to:

✅ Take control of their financial futures
✅ Prioritize their mental and physical well-being
✅ Challenge outdated societal norms
✅ Build strong networks of support

This year, our workshops, panels, and experiences go beyond inspiration—they’re designed for immediate action.

Let’s break it down.

Pillar 1: Breaking the Cycle of Objectification

Ever noticed how women’s choices—from what they wear to how they present themselves—are constantly scrutinized?

From boardrooms to public spaces, a woman’s worth is too often tied to appearances, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

We’re challenging that head-on.

Through panel discussions and interactive storytelling, we’ll explore:

• Why societal conditioning equates clothing with character
• How media and advertising shape perceptions of "appropriate" attire
• The real-world consequences of judgment based on clothing
• How women can reclaim their autonomy without apology

This isn’t about what’s acceptable to wear. It’s about dismantling the deep-rooted biases that hold women back.

Challenging Beauty Standards: From Self-Doubt to Self-Love

Let’s talk beauty standards.

From social media filters to mainstream media, the pressure to conform to unrealistic ideals is relentless.

And the damage? Severe self-esteem issues, body dysmorphia, and confidence erosion.

This year, we’re redefining beauty on our own terms through:

✔ A fireside chat on how the beauty industry profits off insecurities
✔ A self-image workshop helping women embrace their natural features
✔ A digital detox challenge to reframe social media’s impact on self-worth

Because true beauty isn’t in perfection. It’s in authenticity.

Pillar 2: Reclaiming Women's Health & Well-being

Women’s health is often overlooked, underfunded, and misunderstood—especially in professional spaces.

Menopause?
Hormonal shifts?
Mental load from balancing career and home?

Most workplaces pretend they don’t exist.

Our sessions break that silence with:

✔ The Hormonal Reset – Understanding the connection between stress, cycles, and energy levels
✔ The Gut-Brain-Hormone Axis – How digestive health impacts mental well-being
✔ Sound Healing & Restorative Therapy – Practices to recenter and recharge

Women’s health isn’t a niche issue. It’s a priority.

And we’re making sure it gets the attention it deserves.

Pillar 3: Building Financial Power & Wealth Independence

Did you know that women globally own less than 20% of the world’s wealth?

That’s not a coincidence.

From pay gaps to lack of investment knowledge, financial independence is still a privilege instead of a standard.

This Women’s Day, we’re flipping the script.

Our workshops will give women practical tools to take full control of their finances, covering:

✔ Smart Women Finish Rich – How to shift from financial dependency to wealth creation
✔ Investing 101 – Breaking down mutual funds, stocks, and passive income streams
✔ Homeownership for Women – Understanding real estate investments for long-term security
✔ Financial Planning for Life Transitions – Preparing for career breaks, motherhood, and retirement

This isn’t about making more money.
It’s about making money work for you.

Because financial freedom = real freedom.

Pillar 4: The Power of Women Supporting Women

You’ve heard the phrase: Women should lift each other up.

But how often does it happen systematically?

Without mentorship programs, leadership pipelines, and access to decision-making tables, women are often left to figure it out alone.

That changes here.

We’re fostering high-impact networking through:

✔ Sponsorship vs. Mentorship – Understanding the difference and how to find both
✔ The Power of Women’s Circles – Creating communities that foster professional and personal growth
✔ Peer Accountability Networks – Turning ideas into measurable actions

Success isn’t a solo journey.
It’s collective power in motion.

More Than a Celebration—It’s a Movement

International Women’s Day is not just about appreciation posts and flowers.

It’s about:

✔ Disrupting outdated narratives
✔ Equipping women with actionable strategies
✔ Creating environments where women don’t just survive—but thrive

This IWD 2025, we’re not waiting for change.

We’re accelerating it.

And if you’re an organization that truly wants to make a difference, now’s the time to act.

💡 Let’s make this the year where actions speak louder than words.

Want to bring these transformative experiences to your workplace?

‍Reach out today on mohit.sahni@power8.me