Have you noticed how time seems to fly when you're on vacation, relaxing on a beach or swimming in a pool? Conversely, time drags when you're in a tense situation, like taking an exam or having a tough conversation with your boss. Interestingly, colors also affect our perception of time.

In 1975, professors K.W. Jacobs and J.F. Suess's experiment found that participants felt less anxious after viewing blue slides compared to red or yellow ones. In 2004, another study had participants evaluate the download speed of web pages after being exposed to red, yellow, or blue colors. Those who saw blue perceived the download speed as faster and felt more relaxed, while those exposed to red or yellow experienced higher anxiety levels.^[1]

Designers can use this information to understand the impact of color on users' mindset and productivity. Overuse of red in an interface can increase pressure on users and make it harder for them to complete time-sensitive tasks.