10 Colors That Cause Stress

We all know colors can have a powerful effect on our emotions. In fact, colors can be so powerful that they can even cause stress in some people.

From bright fluorescent lights to dark colors like black or navy blue, certain shades and hues can leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

But why do colors have such an effect on us? What are the colors that cause stress, and what should we do if we’re around them?

We’ll explore these questions in this blog post to help you understand how colors impact your emotional state – and how you can manage it when necessary.

Red

Red is a powerful color, often associated with danger and excitement. In some cases, it can also be a source of stress.

For instance, when exposed to the bright colors of red in fluorescent lights or signs, it can cause feelings of anxiety and overwhelm in some people.

The intense colors can seem too intense and create a feeling of unease. Red is also used as an accent color to signify urgency or importance, which can make us feel its effects even more strongly.

Additionally, research has shown that red can trigger elevated heart rate, higher blood pressure, and increased cortisol levels – all signs of stress.

Ultimately, red has the potential to be a serious source of stress for many people, so it should be handled with caution.

Bright Yellow

Bright yellow is a color that can be incredibly stimulating and energizing, but for some people, it can also cause stress.

In fact, studies into colors and emotions have found that bright yellow can be one of the most anxiety-inducing colors out there.

Its intense hue stands out from other colors and can easily overwhelm us, making us feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

This can happen even more if we’re exposed to bright yellow in an environment where we don’t want to draw attention, such as an office or work setting.

Moreover, research has shown that colors with higher saturation levels are more likely to provoke anxiety than colors with lower saturation levels.

Bright yellow falls into this category, meaning it’s more likely to trigger a sense of stress in people who are already feeling overwhelmed by their environment.

Neon Colors

Neon colors can be especially overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, as they are bright and have higher saturation levels than other colors.

The intensity of the colors can easily cause us to focus on them too much, triggering the body’s “fight or flight” response and creating a sense of stress.

Studies have shown that neon colors can trigger an increase in cortisol levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and even perspiration – all signs of stress.

Additionally, neon colors are so bright that they can make us feel vulnerable due to their intense contrast with other colors around us.

This heightened awareness of our own vulnerability can create a feeling of unease.

Moreover, people who deal with ADD or ADHD are particularly susceptible to feeling overwhelmed by the presence of neon colors due to their ability to draw attention and distract from other important tasks.

People sensitive to these conditions should limit their exposure to such colors in order to avoid unnecessary stress.

Black

Black is often described as a mysterious, edgy color – but it can also be a source of stress. Since black absorbs light and colors, it can create an atmosphere of darkness and gloom.

This, in turn, can make us feel enclosed and overwhelmed, triggering the body’s “fight or flight” response and creating feelings of anxiety and dread.

Research has further shown that colors having higher luminance values are more likely to cause stress than colors with lower luminance values.

Black has one of the highest luminance values out there, making it even more likely to trigger a sense of unease in those exposed to its energy.

Additionally, colors with higher saturation levels are also more likely to provoke stress than colors with lower saturation levels – again, black falls into this category for many people.

Moreover, black is often associated with power and authority which can sometimes be intimidating for some people, causing them to feel overwhelmed or stressed.

Studies have found that colors like black can trigger feelings of suspicion in people due to their link with darkness and secrecy. All of these factors make it clear why black is a prime example of a color that causes stress in many people.

Dark Purple

Dark purple is a color that can cause stress due to its combination of colors. It has the dark aspect of black and the energy-rich intensity of red, which together create a sense of unease in many people.

Research suggests that colors like dark purple can have a negative effect on our emotions, particularly when it comes to feelings of anxiety and stress.

The deeper shade of purple also creates an atmosphere of mystery and secrecy, which can be intimidating for some people.

This feeling is amplified further by its connection to royalty, power, and authority – all things that can lead to feelings of insecurity and vulnerability.

Additionally, colors with higher saturation levels are more likely to provoke anxiety than colors with lower saturation levels – again, dark purple falls into this category for many people.

Moreover, dark purple is often associated with sadness and depression due to its dark hue – which can be another source of stress for those who are already struggling emotionally.

Studies have found that colors like dark purple can trigger feelings of melancholy in those who are sensitive or prone to bouts of depression and anxiety.

All these factors make it clear why dark purple is a prime example of a color that causes stress in many people.

Dark Brown

Dark brown is another color that can cause stress due to its unique properties. There is something inherently unsettling about the shade, as it has an air of darkness and mystery that can be intimidating for some people.

Dark brown also absorbs more light than other colors, making us feel confined or restricted in its presence – which can trigger our body’s “fight or flight” response and create feelings of anxiety.

Studies have further suggested that colors with higher saturation levels are more likely to induce stress than colors with lower saturation levels – this applies to dark brown, which has particularly high levels of both luminance and saturation.

Additionally, colors like dark brown are often associated with sadness and depression due to their dull hue – which can be another source of stress for those who are already struggling emotionally.

All these factors make it clear why dark brown is a prime example of a color that causes stress in many people.

Gray

Gray is another color that can cause stress due to its unique properties. It’s often associated with feelings of depression, sadness, and gloominess, which can be incredibly overwhelming for those who struggle with mental health issues.

Research suggests that colors like gray can have a negative effect on our emotions, particularly when it comes to feelings of anxiety and stress.

Furthermore, colors with higher saturation levels are more likely to provoke stress than colors with lower saturation levels – gray falls into this category as it has an inherently dull hue that absorbs light rather than reflecting it back.

Additionally, colors like gray are often associated with feelings of emptiness and loneliness due to their lack of vibrancy – which can be another source of tension for those who already have difficulty connecting or communicating with others.

All these factors make it clear why gray is a prime example of a color that causes stress in many people.

Metallic Colors

Metallic colors are unmistakably unique and can create a stark contrast in an environment. For some, this can be overwhelming and stressful.

The metallic colors often have associations with the coldness of technology, which can trigger feelings of alienation, separation, and even fear.

Furthermore, the bright sheen of metallic colors can be overly stimulating for some people, leading to increased anxiety and stress levels.

Metallic colors also tend to absorb more light than other colors, creating a feeling of confinement and restriction that can be difficult for many people to cope with.

On top of that, research suggests that colors with higher saturation levels are more likely to cause feelings of stress than colors with lower saturation levels – again, metallic colors generally fall into this category due to their high saturation level.

Finally, the darker shades of metal colors are often associated with sadness and depression due to their dull hue – which can be another source of tension for those who already struggle emotionally.

All these factors make it clear why metallic colors are prime examples of colors that cause stress in many people.

Bright Orange

Bright orange is a color that can cause stress due to its unique properties. It has a high level of luminance and saturation, which studies have suggested can cause feelings of unrest and unease.

Additionally, colors like bright orange are often associated with danger or warning – something that can be quite intimidating for someone who’s already under a great deal of stress.

The bright hue of orange is also known to be stimulating and energizing – too much of it can quickly become overwhelming and lead to increased anxiety levels.

Furthermore, colors with higher saturation levels tend to evoke stronger emotional reactions than colors with lower saturation levels – this applies directly to bright orange, which has an intense vibrancy that can provoke strong reactions in people.

Finally, brighter colors are often linked to increased alertness and vigilance – again, something that can easily induce feelings of stress if the intensity of the hue is too great.

All these factors make it clear why bright orange is a prime example of a color that causes stress in many people.

Bright Red-Orange

Bright-red orange is a color that can cause stress due to its vibrance, saturation, and intensity. This type of hue has a tendency to evoke strong emotional responses due to its intense vibrancy.

Furthermore, colors such as bright-red orange are often associated with danger or warning, which can be incredibly intimidating for someone who’s already under a great deal of stress.

The bright hue of bright-red orange also has the potential to stimulate an individual’s nervous system and increase alertness and vigilance in their environment.

This heightened state of being can quickly become overwhelming and lead to increased levels of anxiety if the color saturation is too high.

Additionally, colors with higher saturation levels tend to cause more intense feelings than colors with lower saturation – making bright-red orange another prime example of a color that causes stress in many people.