Be alert in the presence of red

Could red make you more alert? It’s been said that simply being in the presence of red can have an immediate physical effect on the body, increasing concentration and raising awareness. In fact, studies of college students revealed that their reaction speed increased by 12% when they were in a room lit with red light. In another experiment, people performing tasks with words or images on a red background did better on tests of recall and attention to detail.

So, can a red study help you work harder or be more productive? We can’t say for certain but painting your home office in stimulating shades of red or introducing bright accessories to your workspace surely can’t hurt.