^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.

^The pandemic has compelled us to go online in recent years. We could only conduct business online since physical meetings were not permitted. Some of us found it unbearable, while others benefited, making most of whatever was available in the form of a company.

We are progressively being asked to leave the safety of our virtual world and speak with actual words rather than emojis and GIFs now that things are more-or-less under control once again. So we can understand how some people would find that adjustment challenging.

Walking up to strangers can be intimidating and nerve-wracking. But with some practice and a few tips, you could meet new friends at every turn.‍

Learn the Three W's (Why, Where, and When) of talking.

The Three W's of Talking to Strangers—why, where, and when—help set the stage before delving into the specifics of how to approach someone you don't know.

• Why? Find out why you want to talk to people you don't know.
• Where? Go where people are to talk to them.
• When? Use a stranger's body language to know when to talk to them.

Instead of thinking you need to connect with dozens of people or businesses, focus on connecting with just one. Once you've reached that goal, you might feel more confident to go on and talk to someone else. If you have a list of people who will be there, you can be even more specific about your goal.‍

Gain Connection Early

If you're shy or quiet, the best time to show up at an event is at the start. Fewer people are in the room during the pre-event period, so you can speak without being interrupted. Also, as the room fills up, everyone is looking for someone to talk to. 

When you make one great connection early on in the night, you'll gain confidence and meet more new people as the night progresses.‍

Icebreakers! Pick Yours

Having a few icebreaker questions or topics ready can help you feel more comfortable when talking to someone for the first time. 

Among these topics are how they heard about the event, how long they've been with the organization, what they enjoy doing around town with their family, or what's exciting for them in the future. 

Try to engage in a natural conversation with your conversation partner instead of focusing solely on their work. Doing so leaves a lasting impression, learns what makes the person tick, and gets to know them better.

Here are a few examples of icebreakers:

1. How many countries have you visited?

2. What would be your dream place to live if you had the choice?

3. Do you have a favorite TV show?

Make A List

Make a list of questions you can always ask to get you through the first few minutes of the meeting. No one in the world doesn't like talking about themselves. 

Find out what brand they work on, and tell them what you know about their company. Then, tell them why you like their product if you use it. This gives people a chance to tell stories, which is a great way to find things they have in common.

Keep It Going

The best way to build a long-lasting relationship is to become a mentor or mentee. The benefits of mentoring in business are many, including avoiding too much formality in the relationship. In addition, you can be honest with the other people involved by revealing your flaws and goals.

The fear of not knowing what to expect makes some people afraid to seek advice or assistance from others. Mentoring also helps you to understand the next generation better. The importance of building strong relationships below you is just as great as it is for those above you. In your role as a mentee, you will benefit from the advice and objective viewpoint of someone you trust and respect.‍

Closing Thoughts

There's no doubt that a strong network can help your business, and it works both ways. So, if you're stuck, look for ways you can help your peers. With that simple action, you're already social networking in the best way possible.

Do you feel better prepared to network now that you have the tips? What is one tip you can easily implement from this article? Let us know in the comments below.